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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A 44-YEAR-OLD man from Gutu, who was planning to pay lobola for his girlfriend on Saturday, allegedly hanged himself after his would be wife blew $1,500 meant for the bride price, police confirmed yesterday.Norman Muza of Mpandawana Growth Point found out through a message on his cellphone that his girlfriend (name supplied) whom he had given his bank card for safekeeping, had allegedly withdrawn all the money from his bank account without his consent.

Muza, who had planned to pay lobola for the woman, committed suicide on Saturday and his body was found hanging from a tree in a bush near Gutu Garage.

A suicide note found in his pocket indicated that he had killed himself over the lobola money.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said Muza’s body was taken by police to hospital but post-mortem was waived.

“No foul play is suspected. Post-mortem was waived by a Gutu resident magistrate,” said Asst Insp Nduna.

Sources said Muza worked at the Cimas branch in Kwekwe.

They said he was deeply in love with the lady and the two were planning to wed at the end of the month.

“The two were planning to wed next Saturday. Muza had started saving some money in preparation for the marriage and had entrusted her to keep his bank card so that he wouldn’t be tempted to use the money himself,” said a source.

“Unbeknown to him, she withdrew cash amounting to $1,500 meant for lobola and converted it to her own use. Muza discovered this through a message on his phone from the bank.”

Muza is said to have confronted her but she professed ignorance over the missing money.

Last Friday, Muza confided in his aunt Rebecca Chipatiso, 55, who comforted him. The source said the following day at around 12 noon, Muza phoned Chipatiso telling her that he had decided to commit suicide. “He further directed her to search for his body in a bushy area around Mpandawana Growth Point later that day. Chipatiso rushed to the area where she had been directed,” the source added.

When she arrived at the scene at around 1PM, Muza had already committed suicide.