By Agencies
A double tragedy has hit a community in Chivi, Masvingo Province, after a 19-year-old man allegedly took his own life hours after learning that his best friend had died in a road accident.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed both incidents to TellZim News.
The first incident happened around 11 am along the Ngundu–Tanganda Road.
Police said Bright Charare, 18, of Bhusvumani Village, Chief Dare in Chivi, who was a Form Four learner at Shongamiti High School in Chivi, was riding a black mountain bike in the direction of Chiredzi.
At the 8km peg, he was struck by the front-left corner lamp of a Toyota Allion that was travelling in the same direction. The vehicle was being driven by Arthur Tivonge Javangwe, 26, from Gweru, who had three passengers on board.
Charare fell onto the tarred road, sustaining severe head injuries and fractures to both legs. He was pronounced dead upon admission at Ngundu Clinic.
Hours later, his best friend is said to have taken his own life.
According to police, Exodus Muteiwa, 19, of Chipeta Village, Chief Gororo, Chivi, was employed as a herd boy at Rossal Farm in Chartsworth, Gutu, by Felistas Ndika.
He reportedly received a message about Charare’s death around 6 pm on the same day.
At approximately 7 pm, he told his employer’s daughter that he intended to visit his girlfriend, but the employer was against the idea.
When the employer checked his room around 8:30 pm, he was already missing.
A search was carried out through the night and into the morning of 10 August. At around 1 pm, villagers found his body hanging from a branch of a Mutondo tree with a rope around his neck.
Police were notified, and his body was taken to Gutu Mission Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
