By Burnett Munthali
A somber mood has engulfed Dedza following the tragic death of a police officer, identified as Eric Chasweka, who reportedly took his own life by hanging.
The incident has been confirmed by Foster Benjamin, the Deputy Public Relations Officer for the Central West Region Police.
According to Benjamin, Officer Chasweka, aged 31, last reported for duty on Friday but had not returned to work thereafter, prompting concern among his colleagues.
After noticing his absence for several days, some of his fellow officers decided to visit his house to check on him.
When they arrived, they found that the door to his house was locked from the inside, raising further suspicions.
Despite knocking several times, they received no response.
Eventually, the officers were forced to break down the door in order to gain access to the house.
Upon entering, they were met with a heartbreaking scene—Officer Chasweka was found hanging by a rope inside the house.
Medical personnel were immediately called to the scene to assess his condition.
After examining him, the health professionals confirmed that he had died as a result of strangulation caused by the rope.
In a deeply emotional discovery, three farewell letters were found in the house, reportedly written by Chasweka before his death.
According to Benjamin, the letters were addressed to his parents, his work supervisor, and his romantic partner—who is also reported to be a fellow police officer.
The contents of the letters have not been made public, but their existence paints a picture of a man who felt compelled to say goodbye to those closest to him.
The tragedy has sparked conversations around mental health and the pressures faced by law enforcement officers in Malawi.
As investigations continue, many are calling for more mental health support systems within the police service to prevent further tragedies of this kind.
This heartbreaking loss serves as a reminder that behind the uniform is a human being who may be silently battling emotional and psychological struggles.
May his soul rest in peace.
