A 23-year old teacher at Mgawi Primary School in Dedza has committed suicide by taking poisonous substance in order to escape police arrest for allegedly impregnating a minor.

Salima Police Station spokesperson Jacob Khembo identified the deceased as Timothy Mpinganjira from Lobi Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza district.

Khembo said Mpinganjira was found dead in a room at one of the rest houses in Salima district.

“Mpinganjira booked a room at one of the rest houses at Kamuzu road while drunk. In the early morning of 8 June, the receptionist became surprised upon seeing that Mpinganjira was still in a slumber while the rest of the customers had already left their rooms,” he said.

Khembo said a poisonous substance believed to be actelic was found in one of the deceased’s pockets.

He said the police were later informed that Mpinganjira had impregnated a teenager at Mayani Secondary School and the girl’s parents were following up the issue.

“With this information, police believed that the deceased had committed suicide to escape arrest,” Khembo said.