A rape and robbery suspect allegedly committed suicide by hanging using his T-shirt while in police custody at Masvingo Central Police Station, police have confirmed. Nevison Tapesana of Tapesana Village under Chief Shumba area was found hanging from the arm of a window frame in police cells on Saturday at around 7 AM.
Tapesana is alleged to have admitted to raping his brother’s daughter, impregnating her as well as infecting her with HIV. He is suspected to have been behind the rape and subsequent gruesome murder of Masvingo Teachers’ College female student Zvikomborero Chingarandi last month.
Chingarandi was allegedly raped and murdered on her way to church and her body was found by security guards a few metres from the college’s perimeter fence along a footpath.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said Tapesana’s body was taken to Masvingo General Hospital for post-mortem.
“I can confirm the sudden death by hanging of a rape and robbery suspect, Nevison Tapesana in police cells at Masvingo Central Police.
“He was in custody in connection with a number of rape and robbery incidents committed in and around Masvingo. He admitted to raping his brother’s daughter who he impregnated and infected with HIV”, said Asst Insp Nduna.
Police said the suspect was apprehended by members of the public on Friday last week after he was spotted loitering suspiciously in a bushy area near Rujeko suburb.
He was taken to Rujeko Police base and was handed over to Masvingo Central Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning.
“After questioning he was put in custody but was found hanging from the arm of a window frame in the police cell the following morning,” he said.
Tapesana was facing serious charges that could have attracted a lengthy sentence if he had been convicted and it is suspected that could be the reason he decided to take his own life, police said.