Dube was against suicide - friend
MBABANE – Ndoda Mahlalela, a police officer, says the late Manzini Police Station Commander Superintendent Dumisani Lawrence Dube advised him against solving problems by ending his life.
Speaking during a vigil preceding Dube’s burial yesterday at Mpolonjeni in Mbabane, Mahlalela said the late station commander was a humble man who taught him life skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. He was paying tribute to the deceased on behalf of his friends. He recalled how the late superintendent rendered advice on tackling problems as they came.
When confronted by problems, Mahlalela said Dube made it clear that he should not resort to hanging himself on a tree. He said the deceased station commander taught him to think about the fate of his children whenever there was a temptation to end his life.
Mahlalela said he taught him to look up to God when engulfed by problems. He said he was devastated that he would never see his friend again. He said he would miss his sense of humour. He mentioned that he had never seen Dube angry. At some point, he said he asked him whether they could watch soccer together and his response was that he was going to church. “I followed him to church and I began to love God,” he said.
He said there was never a dull moment when Dube was around. Mourners, friends, pastors, neighbours, relatives and his colleagues at the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) did not talk about the manner in which he passed away. Even though he died under questionable circumstances as he had a gunshot wound on his head, they concentrated on singing, preaching and exhorting one another to embrace the situation.
One of the police officers cited a scripture in reference to the circumstances surrounding the station commander’s demise, wherein Jesus sent His disciples to a village to untie a donkey, with a colt by it. He said Jesus commanded them to bring the donkey to Him. Jesus advised them that if anyone confronted them, they should tell them that the Lord needed it.
Likewise, he said God needed Dube. Other speakers, mainly the representatives from Dube’s church, God’s Grace at Work, said he (Dube) taught them to be humble. He also taught the youth about the dangers of crime. He was applauded for his commitment and capability to solve problems. They said he would never ignore someone who was facing challenges. Dube never missed the opportunity to give testimonies about the God he served, they said.
The National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsintsibala
Dlamini, was represented by Manzini Regional Commissioner Senior Superintendent Christopher Lukhele. Commanders from police stations across the country, alongside senior police officers and juniors, attended the funeral. They showed enthusiasm at the gravesite as they comforted the bereaved family with dances to gospel songs. Dube was honoured with a gun salute by the REPS.
It must be said that the vigil was enlivened by the programme director, Pastor Mduduzi Makhanya, a police officer, Nelly Dvuba, the lead singer of Ndawonye Christ Worshippers, Innocent Dube AKA ‘Chocolate Da Poet’, a policeman and Deputy Police Chaplain, Pastor Themba Nhleko.
POEM
‘Chocolate Da Poet’, was asked by the programme director to recite a poem that would console or comfort Dube’s widow, Nomsa, nee Dlamini. He did it with aplomb. Indeed, his poem comforted the grieving family, particularly the family as they were seen responding to it. It was titled ‘Never give up; never succumb; never surrender’.
On behalf of the NATCOM, Senior Superintendent Lukhele said they lost an officer who added value to the REPS. He said it was important, therefore, to give him a decent funeral.
DUPS Funeral Home provided the casket and hearse that transported the body of the late station commander to his final resting place. Obed Dvuba, representing the Mpolonjeni Royal Kraal, said they lost a member of the community and inner house of the Dvubas of Mpolonjeni. He said the deceased was not just an ordinary person. He said they used him to help in cases that required some knowledge about history. This included the history of the place – Mpolonjeni.
Obed mentioned that the late commander helped so many people, urging the community to also offer assistance of any kind to the deceased’s children and wife. The deceased’s family was so brief in their remarks as they were still devastated. They did highlight the fact that Dube took care of his family, including his siblings.
The death of Dube raised more questions than answers. Sources said he was not a suicidal person. He was found dead in his house at Coates Valley in Manzini last Sunday. The doors were locked. His wife, Nomsa, had to provide spare keys to open the doors as his colleagues in Manzini had noticed that there could be something amiss. He was not responding to calls on his mobile phone. He was in his jovial mood on Saturday, showing no signs of stress or frustration. The probability of suicide hasn’t been ruled out.
CHILDREN
Dube is survived by his wife, four children and siblings. He began and completed his primary education at Mpolonjeni Anglican. He did his secondary education at Motshane High School but completed his senior secondary education at SOS Hermann Gmeiner High School in Mbabane. He then spent a year at the Luyengo Campus of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA). After quitting university
MC MOMENTS
“There are people who don’t eat pork because demons asked Jesus to drive them into pigs and He did so. The herd then ran into the water and drowned - the same water that they drink. Why do they drink the water?”
“Just like Dube, leave your children with a home.”
‘‘Dube’s death has raised more questions than answers. Sources said he was not a suicidal person. He was found dead in his house at Coates Valley.”
education, Dube was admitted at the Police Academy in Matsapha.
At his memorial service on Friday, Eswatini News quoted the deceased’s brother, Isaac Dube, saying nothing had changed from earlier reports that his late brother might have killed himself.
In other countries, they normally treat a suicide case as a murder. They investigate it as if the person has been killed. This is due to the fact that there are cases of staged suicides wherein people are killed and their bodies placed in a position to depict a suicide case. This is not to suggest that Dube was killed.
Vernon J. Geberth, a famous American homicide and forensic consultant, lists seven major mistakes in suicide investigation –
Assuming the case is a suicide based on the initial report – this must be a basic death investigation. Assuming the ‘suicide position’ at the crime scene; investigators usually take short-cuts when they hear the word ‘suicide’.
Not handling the suicide as a homicide investigation;
Failure to conduct victimology (victimology, as it pertains to both suicide and homicide investigations, is significant in ascertaining motives, suspects and risk factors). Failure to apply the three basic investigative considerations to establish if the death is suicidal in nature –weapon, wounds, motive or intent.
Failure to properly document any suicide notes;
Failure to take each factor to its ultimate conclusion.