Man fails to handle his HIV status, hangs himself

A 29-YEAR-Old man from Bulawayo's Njube suburb allegedly hanged himself yesterday and relatives suspect that it was because he failed to handle his HIV status.

Nhlalwenhle Mahlangu was found hanging from a tree at his aunt's residence in Njube at about 6AM.

His aunt, Zandile Mahlangu, said although Mahlangu chose to end his life at her home, he was no longer living with her.

"I found him hanging from the tree next to the gate. He was no longer living with us as he was staying in Lobengula. I was shocked to find him hanging," said Zandile.

She said Mahlangu was HIV positive and reluctant to take his medication.

"He was living with the virus and last year he was initiated on anti-retroviral medication but he later defaulted.  On Monday I took him to the clinic for medical check up. Today he was supposed to go to Nyamandlovu to get his previous medical report as nurses said he couldn't be given other medication without knowing what he was taking," she said.

She said Mahlangu did not leave a suicide note and they last saw him the previous evening with his friend Jonathan Dube.

Dube said he spent the better of Tuesday with Mahlangu and was surprised to hear that he had killed himself.