Police in Bulawayo are investigating the sudden death of a 37-year-old man who was found hanging in his room in Gwabalanda.
The deceased, identified as Andrew Sibanda, was discovered on 7 September at his home, where he lived with his teenage son. His elder brother, who had earlier visited from Nkulumane, had spoken to him about the dangers of excessive drinking before leaving.
According to police, Sibanda later went to his bedroom and used a telephone copper cable to hang himself from a roof truss.
“He was discovered at around 8 pm by his 21-year-old nephew, who also resides at the same property. A report was made to the police and the body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospital for post-mortem,” Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said.
Inspector Msebele urged members of the public to seek professional help when facing challenges, instead of resorting to suicide.
The case comes as the world marked World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September. The global awareness campaign, led by the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention, is running under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” from 2024 to 2026.
Suicide remains a global public health concern. According to WHO, about 700,000 people die from suicide each year, one every 40 seconds. Africa records higher-than-average suicide rates, with men particularly at risk.
Zimbabwe ranks among the countries with the highest suicide rates in Africa, with more than 15 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the Integrated African Health Observatory.
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