Zimbabwe – A man has committed suicide by hanging himself in a police cell in Lupane where he had been detained after being arrested.

He allegedly used the seam of a blanket to hang himself last Friday.

Maqawe Maseko (31) of Majanga village in Gokwe had been on the run after allegedly killing his wife last month.

Maseko sought refuge in Lupane before a relative tipped police who arrested and detained him at Lupane Police Station.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations are in progress.

He said Maseko was wanted for murder.

Maseko was alone as he was the only suspect in the cell and police suspect that he may have hanged himself between 3PM and 9PM as the incident was discovered when police on duty changed shifts.

According to police, Maseko was wanted in Manoti in connection with a case where he allegedly killed his wife sometime in April.

On Friday, an unnamed relative who resides in St Luke’s area in Lupane informed a Neighborhood Watch Committee member Lovemore Chisuko of Maseko’s presence.

Chisuko arrested Maseko and took him to Lupane Police Station where he was detained in cells for the night.

While in the police cell, Maseko allegedly tore a seam from a blanket and hanged himself from the roof truss.

The Chronicle reports that his lifeless body was discovered when police changed shifts at 9PM.