Man kills self after testing HIV positive

A 32-YEAR-OLD Chipinge man committed suicide by hanging himself after testing HIV positive last week.

Police confirmed the incident which happened at Matyabadza Village last Friday.

Chipinge district police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Blessing Kadzuraumera, said: "Rekai went to South Africa in 2011 where he was working, leaving his family at his rural home in Matyabadza Village in Mutema.

"On June 24, Rekai returned from South Africa due to ill-health and while in Mutema his health continued deteriorating.

"On July 31, his South African-based brother called him advising him to go and have an HIV test.

"He then went to Chipinge town and was tested for HIV. He tested positive and returned home where he advised his wife, Shylet Mhlanga (25) about his HIV status.

"On the night of August 1, Rekai disappeared into a nearby bush. His family launched a search and his body was found hanging from a tree branch by his aunt, Mavis Shumo, of the same village the following morning. She informed other villagers."

The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and retrieved the body. No post mortem was conducted and no foul play was suspected.

Asst Insp Blessing Kadzuraumera urged the public to seek professional counselling before they took their own life.