Walter Muzulu, 

A sombre atmosphere engulfed the Gimboki community where residents battled to come to terms with the death of Agnes Chikwanha who committed suicide in her landlord’s house.

Chikwanha died in her rented house around 3am after she hanged herself using a cotton string.

“It is not yet known what prompted Chikwanha to take her life but she left a suicide note which read ‘Ndagumirwa.’

Her landlady who lives in Area 13 was perplexed by Chikwanha’s action.

“We had no problems with this woman. Two days ago, she sent her son to apologize for failing to pay her rent. It was now the second consecutive month in which she had failed to do so, but I did not put pressure on her,” said the landlady.

Chikwanha is said to have been in a jovial mood the day before and even attended a church service in Area 16. Noone expected such shocking news.

The landlady was worried about the way her tenant had died in her house.

“Why did she not commit suicide in the bush or any place outside my house,” said the landlady.

Some residents described Chikwanha’s death as an act of weakness saying she had put a burden on her children. She is survived by five children including a young mother aged 17 and a little boy aged 12. Chikwanha was 50 years old at the time of her death.

A local resident, Mr Mugayi, urged residents to share problems and difficulties with friends, relatives and church leaders to avoid loss of life in such a way.

No comment could be obtained from the police.

According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Prevention and Management of Mental Health Conditions in Zimbabwe Report  2022, 1.8% of all deaths in Zimbabwe are attributed to suicide, with men contributing a higher rate than women.