Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
A MUTARE man who could not live with some internal injuries sustained during a robbery, committed suicide four days later in an incident that has left the usually tranquil Zimunya community shell-shocked.
Washington Mashingaidze (44) of Matika Village, Chief Zimunya, threw himself into a well at his homestead after telling his relatives that he could not live the rest of his life enduring the pain inflicted on him during the robbery.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the case and said Mashingaidze’s lifeless body was found in the well a day after disappearing from home.
“On June 15 2026, around 5 am, Mashingaidze was robbed by five unknown persons when he boarded a mushikashika whose registration he did not recognise while on his way to work at Clare, Odzi, Mutare,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka.
“Mashingaidze sustained certain internal injuries, which he found difficult to live with. He used to complain to his family about these injuries, arguing that he could not live with such conditions for the rest of his life.
“On June 19, 2026, at around 9 am, Mashingaidze left home without notifying anyone. Knowing that Mashingaidze had suicidal plans, the family got worried and started looking for him.
“At around 1 pm on the same day, Mashingaidze’s wife, Nyaradzo Batsiri (42), advised other relatives and villagers who joined the search. The whole community looked for him wherever they could think of, but the combined efforts were fruitless. On June 20, 2026, at around 10 am, the body of Mashingaidze was found inside a well at his homestead.
“His body was retrieved from the well by fellow villagers. Batsiri reported the matter to the police. The body was conveyed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem. Investigations are in progress.”
In an unrelated matter, two Chimanimani juvenile sisters aged seven and 10 years were recently injured while playing when they touched an electricity transmission wire.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Asst Insp Chinyoka confirmed the incident and said the ten-year-old girl suffered serious injuries and is admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, while her seven-year-old sister was treated and discharged at Mutambara Mission Hospital.
“On June 18, 2026, the juvenile sisters were playing along an electricity line at Nyaruwa Village, Chief Muusha, Chimanimani,” he said.
“The seven-year-old climbed along a stay wire which supported the electricity pole running away from her 10-year-old sister who she was playing. The elder sister threw a piece of sugar cane, intending to strike her sister, but missed her and hit a line jumper, which triggered electricity shock throwing the two sisters to the ground.
“The young sister sustained minor injuries on her right hand, and the elder sister sustained severe injuries all over her body.
“The two sisters were rushed to Mutambara Mission Hospital for treatment, where the younger sister was treated and discharged and is recovering well at home. The older sister was further referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for further management. The matter was reported to police, and investigations are ongoing.”
