HARARE - The family of armed robber Simba Muchengeti, alleged to have committed suicide at Shurugwi Police Station, have demanded answers into the death of their son, the Daily News has been told.
Police officers at the Midlands precinct said the robber asked to use the toilet where he reportedly shot himself last week.
He was said to have smuggled a gun into the police station after his arrest and allegedly decided to take his own life.
But the family is not buying that story saying a handcuffed man cannot possibly pull out a hidden gun and shoot himself in the mouth.
While they acknowledge that Muchengeti was a fraudster and possibly an armed robber who was recently apprehended by the police and held in detention awaiting his court appearance, they want an investigation to bring out all the facts, “that’s all we ask for”.
“If our son was wrong and he did do what they say he did, then we might begin the process of really truly healing,” a family spokesperson said. He declined to be named fearing victimisation.
Muchengeti’s post mortem was said to be scheduled for Bulawayo today, with his burial pencilled for Tuesday.
The family wants to know how he managed to smuggle a gun into the police station with all the frisking that goes on before detention, and how he managed to kill himself when he was in handcuffs. A loaded gun, believed to be a .38 special, was found next to his body.
A large crowd of loved ones and neighbours held a candlelight memorial just across the street from the police station, where Muchengeti’s mother lived.
“We want everything uncovered,” said a family member. “We want those responsible made accountable for what happened.”
Officials have promised a thorough investigation.
As the investigation moves forward, the family say they will be watching every aspect of the probe. People in the Shurugwi community were making accusations about what they say happened.
“We want to test the police account against the evidence that will be collected,” said the family spokesperson.
