By Ndinatsei Mavodza
CHIREDZI – In a tragic incident that has left a community searching for answers, a 77-year-old Chikombedzi woman committed suicide moments after concluding her morning prayers, a time typically associated with peace and spiritual solace.
Esnath Hanyani (77) from Gunyule Village under Chief Mupapa was found dead on November 11, allegedly having hanged herself from a roof truss in her bedroom with a white cloth just after 6 AM.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and said Esnath and her husband, Amon Hanyani, had woken up early to conduct their morning prayers together outside their home.
“We have a case where a 77 year old woman from Chikombedzi committed suicide by hanging herself on the roof trusses using a white cloth. On the day she had gone out for an early morning prayer with her husband,” said Inspector Dehwa.
After the prayers, a ritual that should have ushered in a new day with hope, Esnath returned to the bedroom while her husband went to the cattle kraal.
He returned a short while later to discover his wife’s lifeless body. No suicide note was found, leaving her motive a mystery.
Inspector Dhewa urged the public to seek help when they face challenges than resorting to taking own life
“We urge members of the public to share their problems with capable individuals other than taking their own lives,” he said.
The incident raises a disturbing and difficult questions on what misery could lead an elderly woman, who had likely endured a lifetime of challenges having navigated the trials for seven decades, to seek peace only in death, and to do so immediately after prayer.
The tragedy is part of an alarming trend of suicides among the elderly in Masvingo Province, following a similar case recently involving a 70-year-old man in Gutu who hanged himself using a wire.
