Harare – Zimbabwe is facing a disturbing surge in teenage suicides, with a series of recent incidents highlighting the devastating impact of heartbreak, poverty, and mental health struggles on the nation’s youth. The tragic deaths of three teenagers in separate incidents across the country have cast a spotlight on the urgent need for greater mental health awareness and support systems for young people.
In Epworth, a 19-year-old, Tanyaradzwa Rimau, took his own life on Wednesday after impregnating a 17-year-old girl. Rimau, from Overspill, was discovered hanging from a beam in his parents’ house by his eleven-year-old younger brother around 12 noon.
“My brother sent me to the shops and when I returned, I found him dead. I then went and reported the issue to my aunt,” his little brother said in an interview.
His parents had left for work when Rimau took his own life. Sources said the deceased decided to take his own life after his father had chased him away from home for impregnating a 17-year-old girl in his area.
After being thrown out of the house by his father, Tanyaradzwa subsequently co-habited with a single mother of two in the Solani Area of Epworth. He was however, kicked out from there and decided to return home and kill himself.
“He was also chucked out by the woman he was staying with, and he returned home, but his father chased him away again. He then came back home knowing his parents had gone for work, and took his own life,” his aunt said.
She claimed that the deceased was now engaging in drug and substance abuse, which had significantly affected his decision-making.
Tanyaradzwa’s father, Trymore Rimau said he chased him away because of his bad behaviour, which included getting a girl pregnant and consistently disrespecting him as a father and disregarding their family values. “He wasn’t coming home, he was living on the streets, and when he came back, he caused problems, so I chucked him out, “ Rimau said.
Investigations are underway.
In another incident, an 18-year-old man from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo hanged himself after he was accused of impregnating his cousin. Meluleki Sibanda was found hanging from a mango tree.
On February 21, 2025, around 8pm, the deceased’s father confronted him over the allegations. The family decided to resolve the matter with other relatives and the police. Around 10pm, they retired to bed.
The next day, around 6am, the deceased’s father discovered his son’s lifeless body hanging from a mango tree near the gate. The body was subsequently taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for a post-mortem.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident. “The police are investigating a case of death by hanging, which occurred in Cowdray Park suburb. We urge parents or guardians to cautiously deal with such serious issues without inducing fear in the perpetrators to avoid such incidents,” she said.
Alisha, the youngest of four siblings, is yet to be laid to rest as her mother has insisted on a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. The post-mortem is expected to be carried out this week.
The discovery of Alisha’s lifeless body was made by her father, Mr. Simango, who recounted the harrowing moment. “I was the first person to find her dead, and that’s when I called the others to come,” he said, his voice heavy with grief. “I still cannot believe what happened because there was no hint, whatsoever, that there was something troubling her.”
However, a glimpse into Alisha’s inner world was revealed through her personal diary, which painted a picture of a young girl grappling with mental health issues, heartbreak, and school-related problems. The diary entries, filled with raw emotion and vulnerability, suggest that Alisha had been struggling with her emotional well-being for some time.
In one poignant entry, Alisha wrote: “My name is Alisha. I was born in 2010, 9 June. Right now, as I am writing It is 2025, 14 March at night. I am 14 years old I don’t know who to trust any more with my secrets as a teen neighbour except for God the Lord whom I pray to.”
The diary entries further reveal the depth of Alisha’s emotional turmoil. “There is something going on in my life, school problems. I am in Form One and there is so much happening in my life every night. I am always crying I wish someone was just there to comfort me,” she wrote, her words echoing the silent struggles of many teenagers navigating the complexities of adolescence.
While Alisha touched on a number of issues troubling her in her diary, her biggest source of pain appeared to stem from her relationship with her school boyfriend, who is believed to be the son of a senior staff member at the school. She wrote of her heartbreak and betrayal, alleging that her boyfriend was “double crossing” her with another girl from the same school, a girl who had never liked her. The breaking point, according to her diary entries, was an alleged kissing incident that occurred on Wednesday.
Mr. Simango said he was completely unprepared for his daughter’s suicide, stating that he had not seen any signs that she was contemplating such a drastic act. He recounted her last moments alive, revealing a seemingly ordinary interaction that belied the inner turmoil she was experiencing.
“She had come to my room to heat water for bathing while preparing for school,” Mr. Simango said. “I then advised her to use the gas stove since the electric stove had a fault, but she then said she would bath using cold water. I then asked her to notify me when she was done bathing, but she did not get back until I dosed off, and when I woke up, I was surprised that my daughter had not come back to me as agreed, and that is when I went to the bathroom to get a bucket. I found my daughter dead.”
The grieving father also mentioned a recent conversation about school fees, suggesting that financial pressures may have also contributed to Alisha’s distress. “She came saying she wanted US$30 for school, but I told her I could only raise it on Saturday, and she would then be able to pay on Monday (today),” he explained. “On Thursday, she brought up the issue again, and I reiterated that I would give her on Saturday as previously indicated.”
While the lack of immediate funds for school fees may have added to Alisha’s worries, her diary entries suggest that the primary source of her distress was the emotional turmoil she was experiencing as a result of her relationship problems and other school-related issues.
These tragic incidents highlight the urgent need for increased awareness of mental health issues among young people in Zimbabwe, as well as the importance of providing accessible and affordable mental health services. Parents, educators, and community leaders must work together to create a supportive environment where teenagers feel comfortable seeking help when they are struggling. The stigma surrounding mental health must be broken down, and young people must be empowered to speak openly about their emotions and challenges.
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