Police officer fatally shoots himself after row with girlfriend

Mbeya. A police officer identified as Samuel Kaziyote, 24, has fatally shot himself in Mbeya.

Mbeya regional police commander Benjamin Kuzaga told The Citizen on October 4, 2023 that Kaziyote apparently killed himself following a bitter quarrel with his girlfriend.

“Kaziyote was on duty at a bank branch in Mbeya City when he began quarrelling with his girlfriend. This prompted him to leave his sentry post with the firearm that was assigned to him and go to the house he shared with the woman, where he shot himself,” he said. It was later confirmed that the police officer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Mr Kuzaga said police were still investigating the incident and were holding one person for questioning.

“Investigations are ongoing and we are currently holding a woman, who has been identified as Kaziyote’s girlfriend, for questioning,” the regional police chief said, adding that the Police Force has lost a “hard-working, dedicated and disciplined member”.

One of the late Kaziyote’s neighbours, Ms Angelina Peter, urged the Police Force to provide its members with adequate psychological support. 

“This is the second time I’ve heard that a police officer has killed himself in Mbeya since I relocated to this city a few months ago.  First it was a police officer who hanged himself and now another one has shot himself dead. This is a worrying trend.  The Police Force should do something as a matter of urgency,” she said.

Mbeya regional commissioner Juma Homera said recently the government would step up the provision of mental health education in the region in response to a wave of suicides and murders.