Geita Gold Mine technician Rashid Nyoni, 54, has committed suicide by jumping into a cyanide reservoir, , police confirmed yesterday.

Reports from the mine say Nyoni reported for duty at around 7.30am on Sunday and headed for the reservoir.

"It was a pre-meditated act because Nyoni's workplace was about 700 metres away from the reservoir," said a workmate, who asked not to be named.

On reaching the reservoir, Nyoni took off his gumboots, left his identity card and a piece of paper with a handwritten message on the floor before taking a plunge in the reservoir.

The message instructed his close friend and fellow employee, to inform his (Nyoni's) wife of his death and to assist her in following up his benefits from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). A fellow worker found Nyoni's body floating in the reservoir at 8.30am.

GGM executive director Richard Suer said in a notice posted on notice boards that police were investigating the incident.

Mwanza acting regional police commander Khamis Bhai confirmed the incident.

In another incident, a fisherman was stabbed to death at Masonga Village in Ukerewe District. Mr Bhai identified the victim as 20-year-old Paulo Charles, 20.

He said Charles was stabbed by a fellow villager in a drunken brawl over a woman.

The attacker escaped and police immediately launched a search for the suspect.