Traditional healer commits suicide

A 70-YEAR-OLD traditional healer from Mabutweni suburb in Bulawayo allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself on Sunday.

Lydia Mpofu's body was found hanging from the roof trusses in her house.

Family members said they did not know why Mpofu, who used a piece of wire to hang herself, committed suicide.

They said Mpofu locked a woman who is her tenant, outside the house before committing suicide. Her brother David Jonathan Mpofu said they were shocked to learn that granny Mpofu had killed herself.

"We don't know what problems she was facing which forced her to take her own life," said David.

He said Mpofu, who had no children, was living with the tenant she locked outside.

"We were told that on Sunday at 5AM she asked her tenant to go and throw away litter in a bush. After the tenant had left she locked herself inside the house and hanged herself," he said.

David said it was the first suicide in their family. He said he was called to the scene to unlock the house after the tenant and police had failed to gain entry. Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.

She urged members of the public to seek counselling when faced with problems.