An 18-year-old man, has committed suicide by hanging himself under a mango tree after damaging ESCOM property at Embangweni in Mzimba District.

Spokesperson for Jenda Police Macfarlen Mseteka, has confirmed the development and identified the deceased as Kondwani Mtonga.

Mtonga was found hanging on Monday around 6 pm after leaving home early for a drinking spree.

“It is alleged that on his way home from a drinking joint, he damaged an ESCOM meter from a certain house. The following day, he went to apologize to the homeowner, who informed him that the meter was ESCOM’s property and that the issue would depend on ESCOM’s response, as vandalizing their property is an offence,” Mseteka said.

According to the Jenda Police spokesperson, family members noticed that Mtonga was very worried about the incident and feared arrest for the vandalism.

“On the day of his death, he left home in the morning and was found hanging in the evening, just a few meters from the village,” said Mseteka.