Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
NKULUMANE 11 residents were left shell-shocked yesterday after a MAN called Talent attempted to end his life by climbing a towering floodlight near the UCCSA church.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo confirmed the incident, which occurred around 11AM on Friday. Talent scaled the tall structure as stunned residents watched in horror, fearing he would jump. Crowds gathered as people shouted, prayed, and pleaded with him to come down.
A swift response from the Fire Brigade saved the day. “We were called to rescue a man who was threatening to jump from a tower light in Nkulumane suburb. He appeared disoriented. We had to convince him not to jump and the crew went up to bring him down safely,” said Moyo.
He added that the man was blabbing about life’s hardships and saying people did not like him. “He was taken to Mpilo (Central) Hospital for further management,” Moyo said.
Residents said the man appeared confused and possibly under the influence of drugs or suffering from mental distress. “Abanye bathi uhlanyiswa yintshengu ubalekile ngibo befunukumusa enhlanyeni,” a witness told B-Metro.
Another witness recalled a young man trying to calm the situation by confronting him, saying: “Talent, yekelani izinto elizinathayo! “Talent, stop drinking whatever you’ve been taking!)”
After the rescue, police and fire officials kept curious onlookers at bay. Full details are still sketchy, but many described it as one of the most disturbing spectacles ever witnessed in Nkulumane.
“We are still shaken,” said a local vendor. “We just thank God the fire brigade came on time.”
The shocking episode comes amid a rising drug and substance abuse crisis in Zimbabwe, especially among urban youth. The Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN) reports that around 60 percent of psychiatric admissions in public hospitals are linked to drug and alcohol abuse.
Government has launched a national response via the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, coordinated by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. Police initiatives like Operation “No to Dangerous Drugs and Illicit Substances” have resulted in more than 7 000 arrests by mid-2025.
Authorities warn that substances such as crystal meth (mutoriro), broncleer, and illegal cough syrups are wreaking havoc, with Bulawayo and Harare hardest hit.
