ON a scorching afternoon, Tafadzwa’s mother, Mai Chaka, was busy with her daily farming activities. With a hoe in hand and sweat dripping down her cheeks, Mai Chaka spent most of her days working tirelessly to provide for her family.
But one day, she unexpectedly received devastating news from a messenger that her only son – Tafadzwa – in his 20s, had taken his own life. The young man had been working hard to support his family, but life challenges had overwhelmed him.
Mai Chaka’s was shattered as Tafadzwa had become one of the country’s growing number of suicide cases. This alarming trend of suicides is attributed to a number of factors that include the harsh economic situation in the country, rising infidelity, and drug and substance abuse, among other socio-economic factors.
According to recent statistics, Harare alone recorded more than 50 suicide cases in the past seven months, mostly involving males. Other cities like Bulawayo have also recorded significant numbers off suicides.
Speaking to the Daily News On Sunday, Farzana Naeem, a senior clinical psychologist and the founder of Gateway Mental Health and Rehabilitation, said her clinic had dealt with over 50 para suicidal cases since the start of 2024.
Para suicide is an attempt of killing oneself without the actual intention. “From January to August this year, we received around 50 cases of para suicide. There is an increase in suicidal attempts. Unfortunately, we have observed an increase in children who commit suicide as well in the last three years.
“This year, I have encountered several cases of both suicide and attempted suicide, reflecting a concerning trend, especially among the youth,” Naeem said. “The youth, in particular, seem highly susceptible to these behaviours, facing a combination of academic pressure, relationship struggles, family dynamics, and an often overwhelming sense of uncertainty about the future.”
She also highlighted that men were more vulnerable to committing suicides than women due to the stigma surrounding the former’s free emotion expression and societal pressure. “In my observations, females seem to exhibit a higher tendency toward para suicide or self-harm, often as a cry for help or a way to cope with emotional distress. In contrast, males are more likely to complete suicide attempts, which may be attributed to the use of more lethal methods.
“The vulnerability in both genders stems from various complex factors. For females, emotional overwhelm, relational conflicts, and internalised stress often lead to para-suicidal behaviours. “In contrast, societal pressure, unaddressed mental health issues, and the stigma surrounding emotional expression might push males toward more definitive actions,” she further told the Daily News On Sunday.
The country’s second-largest city – Bulawayo – is facing a challenge of high suicide cases, prompting the police to raise alarm over the increase. Bulawayo police spokesperson Abednico Ncube confirmed the worrying trend and implored residents to be more supportive of their relatives and friends, particularly those suffering from various ailments.
“Cases of suicide are becoming a cause of concern and factors which motivate these cases include stigma and discrimination.
“We have family members and friends who fall ill, and instead of being supported, these people find themselves being discriminated against and alienated. This then results in those people having little options, but to hang themselves.
“We are having quite a number of reports where people who worship in bushy areas stumble upon bodies hanging from trees,” he said.
A recent suicide scenario is of a prominent businessman at Nkani Village in Magunje, Hurungwe, Mashonaland West Province, who fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself over allegations of infidelity.
Also not long ago, a Harare cellphone dealer, Tafadzwa Russel Murengwa, also known as Boss Pangolin, sparked heated debates on social media platforms after committing suicide when he had earlier on shot his estranged girlfriend, Samantha Dzapasi, dead.
These are a few of the countless cases the country is facing. Suicide has always been negatively viewed in society. On his part, Prince Mutandi, Zimbabwe Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha) secretary of education, shed light on the myths surrounding suicidal death and the mourning process.
“Within our cultural context, suicide is often attributed to evil spirits and as a result, mourning someone who has taken their own life is generally discouraged. “It is considered taboo for family members to inherit the deceased person’s clothing as it’s believed that the spirit of suicide can persist and potentially lead to a chain of similar tragedies within the family,” he said.
“To prevent this, the clothing is typically buried alongside the deceased and is not normally given a decent traditional burial.
“Our African society usually buries someone who has committed suicide as if we are burying a dog as a way of showing our collective disapproval of their decision which led to their demise. We believe this sends a message to their spirit that we do not condone their actions.”
However, he said that: “Regarding other assets left behind, we hold onto them temporarily and distribute them among family members after performing a spiritual cleansing ceremony. “These assets are considered sacred and should not be repaired or altered in any way, even if damaged.”
Similarly, Rumbidzai Mutendera, the chief executive of Heart to Heart Sanctuary and Reign Mental Health Consultancy, organisations that promote mental wellness and empowerment, revealed that youth were severely affected by suicide thoughts, revealing a worrying number of four cases of teenage girls who had committed suicide in two months.
Mutendera established Heart to Heart Sanctuary as a platform for her to share her own story of healing and restoration after a divorce. “I am deeply saddened to report that four teenage girls have tragically lost their lives to suicide in our community over the past two months (August and September) in Harare.
“While these recent deaths have highlighted the devastating impact of suicide on our youth, it is important to remember that this is not just a teenage issue, adults are also struggling with mental health challenges and contemplating self-harm,” she said. She further said that the crisis is a reminder of the urgent need to address the growing mental health crisis and prevent further tragedies. “We can no longer afford to remain silent. It’s time to break the stigma surrounding mental health, foster open conversations, and take concrete steps to prevent suicide.
“Each suicide leaves behind a ripple of devastation. Families, friends, and entire communities are left grappling with the loss and the unanswered questions. The pain and suffering caused by these tragedies are immeasurable,” Mutendera said.
“However, it’s crucial to remember that suicide is preventable. By openly discussing mental health struggles, recognising the warning signs, and providing support to those in need, we can create a safer community. “To address this we must take a multifaceted approach that is to promote mental health awareness and access to mental health professionals.”
As a psychologist, she believes that there is room to conquer the suicide crisis, emphasising the need to address underlying Issues to tackle the root causes of mental health struggles, including poverty, social isolation, and lack of access to essential services.
“We must promote a culture of understanding, empathy, and acceptance for individuals experiencing mental health and train our children to navigate the complexities of adolescence, including emotions, relationships, challenges, bullying, and self-esteem issues.
“This is a call to action for all of us. Let’s come together as a community and commit to making a difference. By taking these steps, we can save lives and create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations,” she said. Commenting on the issue, Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe (PAOZ) member Watson Chitate implored church leaders to take advantage of their influence to bring positive impact to society.
“The significant factors contributing to suicidal cases in Zimbabwe are many. However, the key contributors are marital and financial issues. Some when caught up in extra marital affairs, for fear of embarrassment, end up committing suicide.
“We also see that quite a number of people are no longer gainfully employed. When one loses their job, it becomes very difficult to maintain a similar lifestyle with bills mounting and fees for children needing to be paid. Such pressures have added to the increase in suicides,” he said.
“Also, people who take drugs don’t think twice about taking their life because drugs affect a person’s cognitive ability and rational thinking is greatly diminished. “The church and community should encourage and give support to anyone going through challenges. “The church is a powerful body to offer support in terms of counselling and prayer. We are committed to give hope and spiritual support to those in need,” he said.
Chitate highlighted that suicide was an evil spirit that required spiritual intervention. “Some, if not all suicidal issues, have a spiritual influence. We deal with spiritual issues spiritually through prayer. Demonic influence is solved by prayers of deliverance in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
“Proverbs 11:14. Where no counsel is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. “We counsel people from a biblical point of view because the Bible is our manual for life. It offers hope in every situation. The Bible is loaded with men and women who fell, but were able to rise again,” he added.
“Some actually have relatives who committed suicide so the spirit continues to run in the family. “Suicidal cases are usually handed down from one generation to another, so there must be someone who must stand up in the family to break that chain.”
