State Media

A 42-YEAR-OLD man from Fort Rixon in Matabeleland South was found dead in his place of residence and it is suspected he was poisoned during a drinking spree.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Sunday at Claremont in Fort Rixon. He said the man who could not be named, as his next of kin had not been advised, was found dead at his place of residence by a workmate on Monday morning.

“I can confirm that we recorded a sudden death case which occurred at E Links stamp mill, Claremont in Fort Rixon. The deceased, who cannot be named as his next of kin have not been advised, was found dead at his place of residence at the mining area where he was staying. He was last seen the previous night drinking beer with his friends at Claremont Business Centre. Investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of his death. We appeal to anyone with information that could assist in the investigations to contact the police,” he said.

A source close to the investigations who preferred anonymity said the now deceased was drinking with his friends at a bottle store at Claremont Business Centre when he started complaining of stomach pains. He said his condition worsened as he started vomiting and they took him to his place of residence at around 10pm where they left him to sleep. The source said the man was found dead the following morning by his workmate who had gone to check on him.

“The now deceased is suspected to have died as a result of poisoning because when he arrived at the bottle store at around 7pm after work he appeared fine. He drank with his friends for about two hours and started complaining of stomach pains. He later started vomiting and requested to be taken home in order to get some rest. It’s suspected that he could have been poisoned while they were drinking,” said the source.