A 16-year-old school pupil at Ndarama High School in Masvingo died after he drank poison after he had allegedly been summoned for a hearing by school authorities.

The incident which happened on Wednesday last week became the fourth suicide case in two weeks in the province, with police expressing worry over people resorting to suicide
to solve their problems.

Masvingo provincial police spokesman Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the
death of Ronald Chirongwe (16) of Rujeko and the death of a 25-year-old man
Richard Zvitupa who committed suicide after a misunderstanding with his wife.

“On 22 March around 3am Chirongwe ,a Form 3 pupil at Ndarama was seen vomiting
by his younger brother, a 10-year-old who rushed and told their mother Tichaona
Bhadhara (44).

She observed that her son was in pain and rushed him to the Masvingo General
Hospital. Chirongwe was treated and was discharged.

On 23 March in the morning Chirongwe died. The matter was reported to the police
and they discovered that there was a Pepsi bottle which had a strong smell near his
bed and the substance is yet to be identified. The body was taken to Masvingo
General Hospital for post mortem,” he said.

In a separate incident, Zvitupa of Chisango village, Chief Mukangwani, Bikita, had a
misunderstanding with his wife on 19 March and the wife threatened to report the
matter to the police. Since the day, Zvitupa is said to have been sending suicidal
messages to his relatives.

“On 23 March around 7am Zvitupa went to look for his wife at his nephew Nomatter
Mutero (26)’s home. He sat at the veranda and drank an unknown concoction.

Zvitupa started vomiting and wallowing moving from the veranda to the yard where
he fell down. Jacob Mutero who was at the house came out and discovered that
Zvitupa was having difficulties in breathing. Zvitupa died before he could get any
assistance.

The body was taken to Silveira Mission for post-mortem.”

Meanwhile, in another incident Brian Zaru who was a Masvingo Teachers’ College
student is said to have committed suicide on March 23.

Zaru who is reported to be attached at Gokomere High School drank rat poison at the
Masvingo Civic Centre. This follows an incident where a 16-year-old Masvingo girl
committed suicide last week on Monday after she was reprimanded by the mother for
failing to do household chores.

“People should not consider committing suicide as a solution but should be able to
share their problems with others,” said Insp Dhewa.

-State Media