The problem of teenage suicides came to the fore once again over the past weekend when two young people hanged themselves over what is believed to have been family conflict and disputes.
A teenage girl from Tshandama village in the Mutale area was found hanging from a tree next to the Makhithani crossing late last Thursday afternoon (11 August). The girl was a Grade 11 pupil at Thengwe Secondary School. According to the police statement, she had allegedly had an argument with her mother. The girl allegedly left home without telling anyone where she was going. Her body was later found. No suicide note was found at the scene.
A 10-year-old boy from Tshifudi Damani village also hanged himself on Saturday morning (13 August). According to the police report, the boy was playing with his two-year-old sister at their home when he allegedly pushed her and she fell and started bleeding from the mouth. The mother was upset with him and told him to play nicely with other kids.
The boy allegedly became angry and went into the toilet. The mother was busy with house chores at the time and never suspected anything. At one point the other children alerted her that the boy was not coming out of the toilet. When she went in to check on him, she found him hanging from a rope that was apparently kept next to the generator outside the house. The boy was immediately taken to Tshifudi Clinic but was certified dead on arrival.
Police investigations into both incidents continue.