Disturbing suicide trend in Entumbane raises alarm among residents

A series of tragic suicides in the Entumbane suburb of Bulawayo has sparked concern and a call for action from local residents, who are grappling with the disturbing sight of several men ending their lives by hanging from trees. Over the past two months, five men have tragically taken their own lives in this manner, leading to widespread fear and sorrow within the community.

The most recent case involved a middle-aged man who, almost a fortnight ago, chose to end his life on a large tree in an open field, located a short distance from Entumbane, near a railway line and a power substation in Richmond. His body, hidden behind thick green branches, was discovered by a passerby who alerted the community and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The sight of a lifeless body hanging from a tree quickly drew a crowd, but for Nkosikhona Mlilo, a long-time resident of Entumbane, it was yet another grim reminder of the growing suicide crisis in his neighborhood.

Mlilo, a middle-aged man who grew up in the suburb, expressed his deep concern about the increasing number of suicides. "It's very worrying when we see our brothers committing suicide almost every week," he said, pointing to the tree where the latest victim was found. "This is the fifth man to hang himself here in just two months."

For residents like Mlilo, seeing a dead body hanging from a tree has become almost routine, a chilling symbol of the invisible struggles faced by many men in the community. "Death is now something that we are no longer afraid of here in Entumbane," he lamented. "Our kids now talk about seeing someone hanging on a tree somewhere in broad daylight, because they see it on their phones or witness it themselves."

In response to the alarming trend, some residents have called for the removal of trees where suicides have occurred, hoping to prevent further deaths. However, local leaders argue that cutting down the trees is not a solution to the underlying mental health crisis.

Pastor Descent Tshuma, a member of the Entumbane Residents' Association and a local church leader, stressed that the issue is not simply about removing trees but addressing the psychological pressures that men in the community face. "Men are under immense pressure to provide for their families, and when they fail to do so, it can drive them to take desperate actions," Tshuma explained.

Pastor Tshuma and other community leaders have teamed up with local businesses to offer counseling services and organize awareness campaigns aimed at supporting men through their emotional struggles. The initiative includes roadshows and open discussions about mental health, with trained counselors available to help those willing to speak up.

"Suicide is not the answer," Tshuma said. "We need to create an environment where men can talk about their problems openly and get the support they need before it's too late."

Traditional beliefs have also contributed to the growing unease in the area. Gogo Mbuyani, a traditional healer from the neighboring Pumula Old suburb, claimed that some unscrupulous healers use the bark from trees where suicides have occurred for rituals intended to influence others to take their own lives. "When a person commits suicide, their spirit lingers around the tree, and some traditional healers use the bark for ungodly rituals," Gogo Mbuyani explained.

While some community members, like Butholezwe Nxumalo, are demanding the removal of trees to prevent further suicides, others, like Pastor Tshuma, emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of these tragedies. "Cutting down trees is not the solution. We need to tackle the psychological and societal issues that lead to these deaths," he said.

Local parents have also expressed concern, with one anonymous resident revealing her fears about disciplining her children in light of the recent suicides. "I'm now hesitant to reprimand my kids because I'm worried that they might take drastic measures and commit suicide," she shared. "Something needs to be done to address this crisis and ensure our children's well-being."

Local Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu could not be reached for comment regarding the legality of removing trees where suicides have occurred, but the Bulawayo City Council by-laws stipulate that cutting down trees in public spaces requires municipal authorization.

As the number of suicides continues to rise, the residents of Entumbane are calling for more to be done to prevent further loss of life. Community leaders urge both local authorities and society at large to come together to address the mental health issues plaguing the suburb and to offer better support to those struggling in silence.