Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura-Mutare Bureau
A MUTARE man who could not live with some internal injuries sustained when he was robbed, 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 committed suicide by throwing himself in a well at his homestead after telling his relatives that he cannot 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 the Mashingaidze was robbed by unknown five accused persons while aboard a mushikashika vehicle whose registration he did not recognise while on his way to work at Clare, Odzi, Mutare. Mashingaidze sustained certain internal injuries, which he was finding difficult to live with.
“He used to complain to his family about these injuries arguing that he cannot live to face 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 1pm 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 they could possibly 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 police.
“The body was conveyed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for post mortem. Investigations are in progress,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
In an unrelated matter, two Chimanimani juvenile sisters aged seven and ten years were recently electrocuted while playing when they touched an electricity transmission wire. Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident and said the ten-year-old juvenile suffered serious injuries and is admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital while the seven-year-old 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 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 with.
“The elder sister threw a piece of sugar cane intending to strike her sister and missed her and hit a line jumper which triggered electricity and electrocuted the two sisters and threw them on the ground. The young sister sustained minor injuries on her right hand and the elder sister sustained severe injuries all over the 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,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
