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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A SECURITY guard in Gwanda died allegedly while being intimate with a workmate. Married Maxwell Gwatipedza, 54, a Role Security company inspector, was found half naked with his underwear at knee level at about 2PM on Wednesday.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Thabani Mkwananzi confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that we’re investigating the sudden death of a 54-year-old man who died in Gwanda Town. The causes of his death will be revealed by post-mortem results,” he said.

Sgt Mkwananzi said Gwatipedza had left his work place after some routine checks at the Government Complex premises which they were guarding.

“However, at about 2PM, he was found dead on a bed at his residence by a workmate who had visited him.

“A report was made to the police and the body was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was certified dead.

“The body is at the hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem,” said Sgt Mkwananzi.

Sources said used condoms and female underwear were found at the scene.

Gwatipedza, who is reported to have had a chest problem, was alleged to be in a relationship with Linnet Hlatshwayo, one of his subordinates.

Hlatshwayo, who informed their colleagues of Gwatipedza’s death, had visited the deceased at his house when the incident happened.

She told The Chronicle she was not in a relationship with Gwatipedza.

“I’d gone there to collect some money which he had promised to lend me so that I could pay my rentals.

“When I got there, I discovered that he couldn’t wake up so I rushed to inform others. It’s a lie that we had an affair. I’ve my boyfriend whom I live with and I don’t know anything about his death,” she said.

Gwatipedza’s subordinates, however, were adamant that she was in a relationship with him.

“Everyone knows that she was having an affair with him, so it’s very suspicious for her to say that she found him already dead and with his pants down,” said one security guard.

Upon seeing that Gwatipedza had died, Hlatshwayo, in the company of another female security officer, informed their colleague, Dexter Tshababa, about the incident.

Asked about the issue yesterday, Tshababa admitted to being approached by a visibly shaken Hlatshwayo about the death of Gwatipedza.

He said when they went to Gwatipedza’s place, they found him half naked with his manhood exposed.

“At first I thought it was just a joke, but I was shocked when we went to his house and discovered that he was indeed dead.

He was not wearing his trousers and his underwear was a bit lowered. I had to dress him properly,” said Tshababa.