Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A psychiatric patient in her 30s who escaped from Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital in Masvingo was found dead seven days later in the Tugwi River, raising fresh concerns over security and infrastructure at the institution.
Sources close to the matter told B-Metro that the woman, who was reportedly in a poor mental state, escaped from the hospital at around midday on 16 June 2026.
According to a source, the patient left the institution through sections of the perimeter fence that are allegedly damaged.
“The patient escaped around 12 noon. The fence is in bad shape and security around the institution is a concern. She was found dead after seven days,” said the source.
The source further alleged that poor infrastructure at the hospital may have contributed to the patient’s escape.
The woman’s body was discovered near the Tugwi River by members of the public after she had been missing for several days.
When contacted for comment, Ngomahuru Hospital public relations officer Gift Muzondo confirmed that a patient had escaped and was later found dead.
However, he disputed reports that the woman escaped at night. “The patient escaped during the day, not at night,” said Muzondo.
Although he confirmed the incident, Muzondo declined to provide further details and referred B-Metro to hospital management.
“I would prefer that you speak to my superior, Dr Piece Marimba,” he said.
Efforts to obtain comment from Dr Marimba were unsuccessful. B-Metro made five telephone calls to his mobile phone, but he could not be reached by the time of publication.
Meanwhile, Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident.
Inspector Dhewa said police investigations indicate that the woman went missing from the institution at around noon on 16 June 2026 and was later found dead between 16 and 18 June.
“We received a report of a female patient who went missing from Ngomahuru Hospital at around 12 noon on 16 June 2026. She was later found dead,” said Inspector Dhewa.
He said police are awaiting post-mortem results to establish the exact cause of death.
“We are still waiting for the post-mortem results. At this stage it appears she may have drowned, but the exact cause of death will be determined by the post-mortem examination,” he said.
The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of conditions at Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital, which has in recent months faced challenges related to infrastructure and security.
