BULAWAYO – A well-known Bulawayo businessman, Khumbulani Nsingo, has died in a suspected suicide after allegedly shooting himself in the head at an outdoor entertainment venue on Sunday afternoon. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Nsingo, who owned several bottle stores in Bulawayo and reportedly had business interests in Matabeleland South, was identified by police as the deceased.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the tragic incident and stated that investigations are currently underway to determine the precise circumstances leading to the fatal shooting.
“Police are still investigating the circumstances behind the suicide of the late Khumbulani Nsingo, a businessman in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South Province. The incident occurred on Sunday, and his body has been transferred to a local hospital for post-mortem,” said Comm Nyathi.
Commissioner Nyathi also addressed and dismissed earlier reports circulating that suggested the late Nsingo was a member of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) stationed at Bulawayo Central Police Station. “He was not a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP),” clarified Comm Nyathi.
The incident has left family and friends reeling, with many struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Family spokesperson Nhlanhla Nsingo has appealed to the public for privacy during this difficult period. “We have just lost our brother, and we ask for our family’s privacy to be respected,” he said, offering no further details.
According to close friends of the late businessman, Nsingo had made concerning references to suicide in the days leading up to his death, remarks which they initially dismissed as mere jokes.
“Last Friday, he kept saying we should take away his firearm as he was worried he might do something harmful to himself. We thought he was just stressed and needed time to cool off and figure out what was bothering him,” said one close friend, who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The friend further recounted the moment they received the devastating news. “On Sunday afternoon, just after midday, we received a call that Khumbu had shot himself in the head and his body was lying at (location withheld), and that police had been called to the scene. He was a jovial guy, and in hindsight, maybe we should have taken away his pistol and encouraged him to speak to someone about the problems he was facing.”
The location of the incident is being withheld out of respect for the family and ongoing police investigations. The death of Khumbulani Nsingo serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need to take any expressions of suicidal thoughts seriously. The police investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help. There are resources available to provide support and guidance.
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