A South African policeman guarding Nelson Mandela committed suicide at the former president’s home on Saturday, a police spokesperson said.
The 37-year-old police sergeant shot himself in a guardhouse outside the security perimeter of Mandela’s house in Houghton, police spokesperson Dennis Adriao said.
”He committed suicide in front of his colleagues in the guardhouse. We were not aware that he was depressed in any way,” said Adriao.
”The guard house is not part of the perimeter surrounding the former president’s house, but is one of the first lines of security upon entrance.”
”We don’t know on which part of the body he shot himself.”
The guard’s name could not be released as his next of kin was not yet informed, Adriao said.
Mandela was at home when the incident took place. – Reuters, Sapa