Chipinge/Gweru – Zimbabwe is reeling from two separate tragedies this week, as a man from Chipinge was found dead in his home under mysterious circumstances, and a police officer in Gweru took his own life, citing the country’s crippling economic hardships as the reason for his desperate act.
In Chipinge, the body of Taurai Mhlanga, a 40-year-old man from Chimedzi Village under Chief Mutema, was discovered in his bedroom on March 10th. The cause of death remains unknown, and police are investigating.
According to Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, Taurai was last seen alive on March 7th, drinking beer with his younger brother, Never Mhlanga (39), at his homestead.
“Taurai had opened up to his brother that he was stressed due to his separation with his wife, which had occurred three weeks earlier,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka. Never departed for his own homestead around 9pm, leaving Taurai alone.
The grim discovery was made by Taurai’s co-worker, Elias Kombo (43), who visited his homestead on March 9th to discuss work-related matters.
“Elias knocked on the door, but received no response. He looked through the window and saw Taurai lying on the floor. He suspected he was drunk, and left,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Elias returned the following day and found Taurai in the same position. This time, he informed Never, who made a police report at ZRP Chipinge.
Upon attending the scene, police found bruises on Taurai’s head, but no other visible injuries. His body was taken to Chipinge District Hospital for a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.
Meanwhile, the nation is also mourning the loss of Constable Claude Jele, a police officer stationed in Gweru, who took his own life, leaving behind a suicide note that poignantly detailed his struggles with the country’s dire economic situation.
“Having survived all these 38 years, I have reached a point where I feel like it’s all the same being on this earth or leaving,” he wrote. “So please do not accuse anyone or anything. It’s my personal decision to end my life this way.”
Jele’s final words paint a heartbreaking picture of despair and resignation. He apologised to his family and urged them to move on despite the pain his decision would cause.
“I know you will be hurt, but I do not see a reason to keep living. I have failed,” he wrote in Shona. “Ganizani and Keisha, it will hurt you, but please forgive me. Grow up well, I have gone ahead.”
In a further act of love and consideration, he reassured his wife that she should not blame herself for his actions, acknowledging that their relationship was strong.
“Mai Keisha, do not think it is your fault. We were doing just fine,” he wrote.
Jele thoughtfully included the names and contact details of two people whom he wanted to be informed about his passing, demonstrating his concern for those he was leaving behind.
Constable Jele’s suicide comes just days after another Zimbabwean man, Charles Chindundundu, recorded himself taking poison and posted it on WhatsApp, further highlighting the growing sense of desperation and hopelessness gripping the nation.
In his final video, Chindundundu said: “Sometimes life is just like this. We make decisions that seem right to us. Some people will be hurt, but they will heal.”
He later updated his WhatsApp status to read: “Mission completed. Best decision ever. Soul leaving.”