Online Reporter
Tendai Vambe
Post Reporter
A 38-YEAR-OLD Chipinge man was found hanging from a tree at his family homestead last week after reportedly becoming distressed over belongings he left behind in South Africa following his deportation.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Luke Sithole of Watershed Village under Chief Mapungwana in Chipinge.
He said Sithole had been struggling emotionally since his deportation from South Africa in May, and frequently spoke about the property he had been unable to recover.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Sithole’s father, Mr Mike Sithole (72), told the police that his son had been deeply troubled in recent months.
“Luke’s father reported that after being deported from South Africa sometime in May, his son repeatedly complained about belongings he had left behind. He said Luke was constantly worried about recovering the property and often spoke about it,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Police said Sithole retired to bed as usual on the evening of September 11.
However, the following morning, his father went to check on him and discovered that he was no longer in his bedroom.
After searching around the homestead, Mr Sithole found his son hanging from a tree branch outside the family’s yard, and immediately reported the matter to ZRP Chipinge.
Police officers attended the scene and the body was subsequently taken to Chipinge District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said no suicide note was recovered from the scene and preliminary investigations have not revealed any signs of foul play.
“The matter is being treated as a suspected suicide. Investigations are continuing,” he said.
He urged members of the public facing emotional and psychological challenges to seek support from family members, community leaders, churches and professional counsellors.
“We continue to encourage people experiencing emotional distress to reach out for help. There is always support available through family, traditional leaders, churches and mental health professionals,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The body remains at Chipinge District Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination before burial at Watershed Village.
