Man takes pesticide over denied conjugal rights

conjugal rights by his estranged wife.
Philemon Verera (30) from Lutumba last Friday allegedly took his life at his in-laws’ homestead in Maranda communal lands, Mwenezi, in protest over continued denial of conjugal rights by his wife Stella Mavacha (24).
Verera allegedly collapsed and died after he gulped a bottle of cotton pesticide.
He had followed his wife who had left their homestead after a dispute.
Masvingo police spokesman Inspector Tineyi Matake yesterday said Verera’s body was taken to Neshuro District Hospital for post-mortem.
“We are still investigating the case but Verera’s body was taken to Neshuro Hospital for a post-mortem.
“He collapsed and died soon after drinking a bottle of cotton pesticide at his in-laws homestead,” said Insp Matake.
It is alleged that last Wednesday Verera and his wife had a heated dispute at their matrimonial home in Beitbridge over conjugal rights.
Verera’s wife allegedly left their matrimonial home for her parents’ home in Maranda, Mwenezi.
Her husband followed her in a bid to lure her back.
However, when he arrived at his in-laws’ homestead, Verera was informed that his wife had left for Shurugwi to sell wild fruits.
He allegedly waited for his wife for two days but she did not return home.
Verera allegedly bought a bottle of cotton pesticide, which he gulped on Friday afternoon leading to his death.
Suicide cases are on the increase countrywide.
Last month a Beitbridge man killed himself after he had left his wife and child for a year.
On his return from sojourn in Harare, the wife did not send him packing but he suspected that she now had a lover and took his life.
The police have urged people to seek counselling to resolve disputes rather than take their lives.