Form 4 pupil hangs self after failing exam

AN 18-YEAR-OLD Form Four Zaka pupil allegedly committed suicide by hanging after failing his end of term examinations.

Farai Makuvaza of Mutimwi High School in Mutimwi area was found hanging from a tree last week on the day schools closed as he could not accept that he had failed his mid-year examinations.

Makuvaza's body was taken to Musiso Mission Hospital for postmortem.

Masvingo deputy Provincial Education Director Andrew Chikwanga yesterday confirmed the incident and added that they had instituted investigations through their Zaka district office.

"By next week, we expect a full report on what exactly transpired," he said.

According to his schoolmates who spoke on condition of anonymity, Makuvaza, who was repeating Form 4 and worked as a tout at Jerera Growth Point during weekends, had a dispute with a certain teacher over his low marks.

A source said on the day the second school term ended, all pupils in his class were given their reports but his was withheld by school authorities who were not happy about his alleged bad behaviour and his academic performance.

"Makuvaza had a history of clashing with teachers and was dull in class. After some pupils mocked him for failing, he became angry and went to one teacher asking for his report but was told it had been withheld," said a pupil.

Another pupil said Makuvaza was later reprimanded before being handed his school report.

"Makuvaza allegedly looked at his report which showed that he had failed all but one subject. This did not go down well with him and he stormed out of the school head's office. He threw the school report on the ground and ran away," he said.

He added, "When Makuvaza failed to return from school, his relatives became worried and inquired on his whereabouts from other school pupils who professed ignorance. Makuvaza's body was then found hanging from a tree in a nearby mountain by women who were fetching firewood at around 4pm."

A report was made at Zaka police who took the body to Musiso Hospital mortuary for postmortem.

Efforts to get a comment from Provincial Education Director Fadzai Jirivengwa were fruitless.

Acting Masvingo police Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna could neither confirm nor deny the incident when contacted for comment yesterday.