Beitbridge Bureau — A 37-year-old chronically ill man from Tuli area in Beitbridge hanged himself from the roof of his house soon after discovering that he was HIV positive on Christmas Eve. Reason Ndlovu is reported to have been ill for a long time.

Ndlovu is believed to have gone to a local clinic where he tested positive to HIV and this angered him.

He then approached his father whom he told of his intentions to commit suicide because of his status.

His father, Mr Trust Ndlovu, listened but did not take him seriously and ignored him.

Matabeleland South police spokesman Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya confirmed the incident yesterday.

"The now deceased went to his bedroom hut where he hanged himself with a rope from the roof. His mother who had gone to the room intending to discuss some family matters discovered his body.

"She then alerted her husband and the matter was in turn reported to the police. Reason's body was subsequently taken to Beitbridge district hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH)," he said.