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Nun commits suicide after being fired

by Staff reporter
11 Sep 2011 at 06:52hrs | Views
A DETE-BASED Roman Catholic Church nun is suspected to have committed suicide after being dismissed from the convent of the world's largest Christian denomination for allegedly being reluctant to carry out one of her duties of bathing the elderly.

Police in Hwange confirmed the death of Sister Sibonginkosi Ncube (27), who was attached at Dete Old People's Home but would not be immediately be drawn into disclosing the cause of death as they were still awaiting post-mortem results.

Sr Ncube's body was discovered in a bush at Detema Estate on September 2, a day after learning that she was dismissed from the convent.

It is said that some time in May, Sr Ncube approached her provincial headquarters superior, Sr Emilia Zivavose, based at Marist Brothers High School, complaining about the nature of duties she was made to perform at the old people's home.

Sources privy to the matter said Sr Ncube was incensed by one of her chores of bathing the elderly that would have soiled themselves.

"The provincial headquarters superior received several complaints from her (Sr Ncube's) workplace and colleagues complaining about her attitude towards work.

"As from that day her performance deteriorated up until the September 1 when a team of provincial superiors comprising of Sisters Zivavose, Lolla (vice superior) and counsellor Cicilia Mahlangu decided to convene a meeting with the now deceased," said acting Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Egnos Nkala.

It is said following the meeting the team of superiors decided to dismiss Sr Ncube from her religious duties and told her to her return home.

"This did not go down well with the now deceased who then went missing at around 11am on the same day and on September 2 the following day at around 9am her body was found by four women who alerted officials at Detema Estates and a report was made at Dete Police station. We cannot pre-empt the cause of death as we are still waiting for post-mortem results though we suspect that it might be suicide," Sgt Nkala said.

A nun or sister is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life.

She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent.

Source - TH
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