Man commits suicide over son's immaturity

A 66-YEAR-OLD Murewa man committed suicide after a heated argument with his son for failing to secure his own space to live.

Medicine Kuchesa, of Chivhinge Village under Chief Mangwende, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Musami Mission Hospital after taking rat poison in protest over his son's immaturity.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident and urged people to respect the sanctity of life.

"I confirm the death of an elderly man in Murewa who committed suicide after he had quarrelled with his son. We urge members of the public to amicably resolve their misunderstandings. The public should also respect the sanctity of life so as to avoid such incidences," he said.

According to police, on July 13 at around 2pm, the deceased was approached by his son, Langton, who asked him why he was in the habit of moving around the villages telling people that he was failing to secure a stand to start his own life.

The deceased denied the allegations and went on to accuse his son of disrespecting him.

It is reported that after some hours, Kuchesa then gulped a bottle of rat poison in front of his 12-year-old child who rushed to advise Langton.

Langton then took his father to Musami Mission Hospital, but he failed to make it.

The matter was reported to the police before the deceased's body was taken to the mortuary for a post-mortem.