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Oswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A FIFTH-YEAR Chemical Engineering student at National University of Science and Technology (Nust) allegedly committed suicide by drinking a poisonous substance suspected to be cyanide, the third such incident by a univesity student in a week.

Tapfuma Sezi, 25, allegedly committed suicide on Thursday afternoon at his lodgings in Selbourne Park suburb near Nust after receiving results from a brain tumour test.

A close friend (name supplied) said at around 9AM on Thursday, Tapfuma went to his lecturers at the university campus and asked for cyanide.

He allegedly misinformed the lecturers that he was conducting a research, the friend said.

“The lecturers refused to give him the chemical. In the early hours of Friday around 1AM, Tapfuma started complaining of stomach pains. He later collapsed and his roommate phoned his parents.

“I suspect he could’ve found other ways of getting hold of the poison. Tapfuma has been complaining of a severe headache for some time,” said the friend.

A Chronicle news crew yesterday visited the family’s house in Bulawayo’s Hillside suburb and managed to talk to Tapfuma’s sister, Charmaine Sezi.

Charmaine said the family was still to establish the cause of his brother’s death as investigations were still underway.

“We cannot say with certainty that my brother drank cyanide but we suspect that he committed suicide. My brother was a quiet person. His roommate may be the best person to comment on what could’ve driven him to commit suicide.

“We got a call from his friend at around 1AM on Friday informing us that Tapfuma has collapsed. We quickly rushed him to United Bulawayo Hospitals where he died on admission,” she said.

Nust Director of Information and Public Relations Felix Moyo confirmed receiving a death report.

He said it was unfortunate that the student lost his life when he was about to complete his degree programme.

“We’re here to train young people to be professionals so that they get careers and help their families, parents and society. It’s sad to lose such a young life who was about to complete his course. As a university, we grieve with the family,” said Moyo.

Tapfuma was buried on Saturday at his rural home in Shurugwi.

There has been an upsurge of suicide cases among university students in the past week.

On Friday, a third year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Zimbabwe recorded on video how his estate should be distributed and demanded that his body be cremated, before committing suicide.

Another student from the Midlands State University also committed suicide allegedly by drinking a poisonous substance in front of the institution’s Administration block.