A school teacher in Rumphi has committed suicide by hanging himself after allegedly misappropriating funds amounting to K150, 000 meant for pupils’ Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination (PSLCE).

Rumphi Police spokesperson, Victor Khamisi, confirmed the news of the death in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) Tuesday.

He identified the deceased as 49-year-old Justine Mfune who, at the time of his death, was Head Teacher at Kamphenda Primary School in the district.

The deceased is reportedly said to have earlier been confronted by colleagues at a meeting with fellow teachers on December 11, 2016, where the issue of the learners’ examination fees he was suspected to have embezzled was raised.

The deceased reportedly assured his fellow teachers that he had the amount handy and would deposit it the following day.

“It is suspected that he embezzled cash amounting to K150, 000 meant for the pupils’ examination. When asked about the matter, he informed fellow teachers he would deposit the money on Monday.

“But surprisingly at around 6 am, the day he had promised to conduct the transaction, he was found hanging in a nearby bush. When the health personnel conducted a post-mortem on his body, it was found that his death was due to strangulation,” Khamisi explained.

The deceased hailed from Chenjenichawo Village in the area of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in the district.

Rumphi has been registering a lot of suicide cases in recent years most of which have been related to either mismanagement of funds or failure to pay back overdue insolvent loans.