10-year-old girl ‘commits suicide’

Sheronrose Mugombi, Chronicle Writer
IN a strange incident that has left Bulawayo residents in shock, a 10-year-old girl, Nomvelo Phumuzile Mqhele allegedly committed suicide by hanging at the family house in Pumula South suburb.

The incident, which happened as Ingutsheni Central hospital belatedly commemorated World Mental Health Day yesterday, has raised concerns regarding child safety and challenges of mental health.

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year.

According to police reports, the girl was left together with a two-year old child by her uncle.

When the uncle returned to the house, he discovered Nomvelo’s body hanging from a roof truss and the toddler was in the same room crying.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said Nomvelo reportedly hanged herself with a used rope and used a plastic chair and 20-litre container to reach the height.

Neighbours were alerted and the girl’s mother was contacted immediately. Authorities conducted a preliminary search of the scene and reported no visible injuries on Nomvelo’s body and no suicide note was found.

Police who said investigations were underway to establish circumstances leading to Nomvelo’s death, have urged parents to monitor their children and maintain open lines of communication to identify any problems they might be facing.