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Peter Phiri

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A 61-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo’s Sizinda suburb is suspected to have committed suicide after he was found hanging from a tree in the same area.
John Phiri’s body was found hanging from a tree in a bush on Tuesday morning.

It could not be established why he could have killed himself as his family said they would rather keep it secret.

His brother Peter Phiri said he knew why he allegedly committed suicide.  He however said it was not ideal for him to disclose circumstances before engaging the whole family.

“He was divorced staying with his daughter-in-law and his grandchild. His two sons are in South Africa while the youngest is a police officer. So it will not be ideal for me to reveal what really transpired before they all arrive. We have to discuss this as a family before releasing information,” said Mr Phiri.

Bulawayo Province acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube said police were handling the matter as a suspected suicide.

He said investigations were in progress.

“Police attended to a suspected suicide case involving an elderly man from Sizinda suburb. The man was found hanging from a tree. He had been last seen on Monday as the family retired to bed. The following morning he was not seen at home with his whereabouts unknown until a passerby informed the family that there was man fitting his description who had hanged himself,” said Asst Insp Ncube.

He urged families to strengthen social ties so that suicide cases can be dealt with.

“We call on members of the public to consult either relatives or professional counsellors whenever they face problems. The social ties are loosening resulting in some people struggling to engage relatives when they face problems. Hence we call on members of the public to return to the basics where they communicate on social problems instead of them taking their lives unnecessarily,” he said. — @nqotshili.