The tragic news of the suicide of prominent Zvishavane businessman, Mr Alphabet Takawira Chikozho, has caught the nation by surprise, highlighting the devastating impact of financial hardship and the growing mental health crisis in Zimbabwe.
Mr Chikozho, a once successful bus operator who ran a fleet of over 20 buses under Chikozho Bus Services, took his own life yesterday afternoon at his residence in Caravan Park. The police confirmed that he shot himself in the mouth, a grim act that underscores the depths of despair he must have been facing.
Sources close to the family revealed that Mr Chikozho had been struggling financially for some time, facing mounting debts and numerous court cases related to non-payment. The final blow came just moments before his death, when he lost a civil court case, leaving him with a substantial debt to repay.
“When he shot himself yesterday evening, he had just lost a civil court case where he had been told to repay a substantial debt,” said a source, their voice heavy with grief.
This tragedy comes just five months after Mr Chikozho’s brother, Masvingo transport mogul Albert Chikozho (65), also died. While Albert’s death was attributed to a short illness, the family is now grappling with the devastating loss of two prominent figures within a short span.
The circumstances surrounding Mr Chikozho’s death are a stark reminder of the growing mental health crisis in Zimbabwe, particularly among men. A recent report by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) revealed that suicide cases are on the rise, with Mashonaland Central recording the highest number.
“In Mashonaland Central alone, 35 cases were reported in 2021 and the year 2022 saw an increase to 53 cases. The statistics indicate the need for urgency in interventions on suicides in the province,” the report stated.
Experts have linked the increase in male suicide cases to socio-economic problems, including unemployment, financial hardship, and relationship breakdowns. The NPRC report also highlighted that 80% of suicide victims signal their intention to commit suicide, indicating a need for increased awareness and support systems to prevent these tragedies.
The situation is equally alarming in Bulawayo, where Mpilo Central Hospital has recorded a 245 percent increase in attempted suicide cases. The hospital saw 38 suicide attempts in January and February of this year alone, a significant increase from the 11 cases recorded during the same period last year.
Failed marriages, work-related stress, unemployment, family disintegration, and grief are cited as the major drivers of this alarming trend.
The suicide rate in Zimbabwe has been steadily increasing, rising from 12 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015 to 18 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020. This rate is higher than the global average of 10.5 deaths per 100,000 people and surpasses the rates in neighbouring countries such as South Africa (12.5 deaths per 100,000 people) and Mozambique (10.9 deaths per 100,000 people).
