Bishop of the Methodist Church Joseph Bundala has, allegedly, committed suicide in his office using a telephone wire, after being overwhelmed with debts.
The incident is purported to have occurred on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at around 1 pm in the restroom of his office located within the Methodist Church, Meriwa Ward, in Tanzania’s administrative capital, Dodoma.
The Meriwa Ward Chairman, Mr Gervas Lugunyale, said that he received a call from one of the pastors seeking assistance after Bishop Bundala, 55, was found hanging in his office.
Lugunyale added that he when he arrived at the scene he saw the assistance of the police and when he entered the office, he discovered that the Bishop had already taken matters into his own hands. His lifeless body was hanging.
“On the Bishop desk there was a document summarizing the debts he owed and those owed to him” said Lugunyale.
He concluded that no amount was written on the note, but since there is an ongoing investigation, it is inappropriate to speak too much on the issue.
The Chairman of Zone Number 11, Meriwa Ward, Ipagala District, Mr Jonathan Mpando, said Bishop Bundala’s demise has hurt them because he was helpful to the citizens in the area.
Investigations at the scene revealed a note with a message indicating that debts, along with a dispute over the operation of private schools, were the reasons for the suicide.