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Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
A 45-year-old Bulawayo businessman yesterday allegedly shot himself in an apparent suicide over suspected economic-related pressures, a tragedy that has shocked his family.

Ndabuko Netsha, son to prominent businessman Dickson Sibanda, 76, who owned several businesses including Esibayeni, is said to have blown his head at around 12 midnight on Thursday at his Ilanda home.

Sibanda said his son shot himself while alone in his bedroom in a suicide he suspects to have been related to economic pressures.

He added that he had handed his businesses to his sons, including Netsha, who ran a sports bar and a butchery. “I was awakened by a call at around 12.30AM alerting me of the death of my son. When l got there, police had already arrived. The reason for my son’s death isn’t clear but with these economic hardships you never know,” Sibanda said.

He said he was yet to get more details on the incident, including the whereabouts of his son wife’s when the incident occurred.

“My son is said to have shot himself whilst he was alone in his bedroom. I’m yet to find out what really transpired during that night including the whereabouts of his wife at that time. I haven’t asked her because in our culture it’s taboo to ask anything from your daughter-in-law especially during this time when she is mourning,” Sibanda said.

“Age was catching up with me and l couldn’t keep on running businesses. I had to give all my businesses to my sons so that they can continue running them. Nowadays because we aren’t close to our sons, one can no longer tell if they’ve problems.”

He said he last saw his son on Sunday evening and he seemed jovial with no problems at all.

“His death came as a shock. You read of other people’s children in the newspapers not knowing that one day you will be the one read about in the papers. I’ve just accepted it even though it’s hard,” he said.

Netsha is survived by a wife and two children and is expected to be buried on Tuesday.