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Bulawayo teen dies in suspected suicide following family dispute
2 hrs ago |
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Police in Bulawayo are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy in what is suspected to be a suicide, reportedly linked to a disagreement with his grandmother over a trip to their rural home.
The boy, who has not been named, is believed to have ingested a poisonous substance at his Mabutweni residence. Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the teenager was discovered unresponsive in his bedroom on November 21.
According to police reports, the boy's 71-year-old grandmother had returned from South Africa the previous day. During dinner, she instructed him and his 18-year-old brother to accompany her to the family's rural homestead in Mbembesi to plough the fields in preparation for planting. The teenager reportedly objected to the plan before the family retired to bed.
Inspector Msebele said that at around 6 a.m. the following morning, the boy's 16-year-old female cousin entered his room and found him awake but still under the blankets. He told her he needed more rest. When she returned two hours later, he was unresponsive.
"The cousin alerted the grandmother, who noticed that the boy was no longer showing signs of life. Traces of vomit stained with blood were found near him, raising suspicion that he may have ingested a poisonous substance," Inspector Msebele stated.
The body was sent to Mpilo Central Hospital for a post-mortem, and investigations are ongoing.
Inspector Msebele urged young people facing emotional distress or family pressures to seek guidance and support rather than resorting to self-harm. "Taking one's life does not solve anything; it only brings pain and stress to those left behind," she said.
Zimbabwe has seen a concerning rise in suicides among children, with mental health experts pointing to family conflicts, economic pressures, academic strain, substance abuse, and limited access to counselling as key contributing factors. Data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicates that over 2,000 suicide deaths are recorded annually, with adolescents representing an increasing share of these cases.
The boy, who has not been named, is believed to have ingested a poisonous substance at his Mabutweni residence. Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the teenager was discovered unresponsive in his bedroom on November 21.
According to police reports, the boy's 71-year-old grandmother had returned from South Africa the previous day. During dinner, she instructed him and his 18-year-old brother to accompany her to the family's rural homestead in Mbembesi to plough the fields in preparation for planting. The teenager reportedly objected to the plan before the family retired to bed.
Inspector Msebele said that at around 6 a.m. the following morning, the boy's 16-year-old female cousin entered his room and found him awake but still under the blankets. He told her he needed more rest. When she returned two hours later, he was unresponsive.
The body was sent to Mpilo Central Hospital for a post-mortem, and investigations are ongoing.
Inspector Msebele urged young people facing emotional distress or family pressures to seek guidance and support rather than resorting to self-harm. "Taking one's life does not solve anything; it only brings pain and stress to those left behind," she said.
Zimbabwe has seen a concerning rise in suicides among children, with mental health experts pointing to family conflicts, economic pressures, academic strain, substance abuse, and limited access to counselling as key contributing factors. Data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicates that over 2,000 suicide deaths are recorded annually, with adolescents representing an increasing share of these cases.
Source - Zimlive
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