MILLICENT HUNGWE
GUTU – A painful event has happened at Gomba Village under Chief Mazuru in Gutu District after the lifeless body of a 70-year-old man, identified as Johnson Magama, was found hanging from a Muora tree in a suspected case of suicide on October 3, 2025.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, the heartbreaking incident is believed to have occurred during the night of October 2.
Preliminary investigations show that the now deceased went out to look for his cattle around 4PM and later returned home.
Around 8PM, he left the homestead again without revealing where he was going.
He was last seen by his 16-year-old grandson but never came back.
In the early hours of the following morning, at around 3:45AM, a group of women who were on their way to a Johane Masowe Church service stumbled upon Magama’s body hanging from a tree branch, with a piece of wire used as a noose.
The matter was reported to the police, who attended the scene and conveyed the body to Gutu Mission Hospital mortuary for postmortem.
Police investigations are still on going.
Community members speculated that loneliness and the burdens of old age could have driven the elderly man to take his own life.
“Most of our elders live alone or with grandchildren while their children are away in towns. They face loneliness, sickness, and financial problems. Some end up losing hope. It’s sad that such a respected man died in this painful way,” said one source from Gomba village speaking to The Midweek Watch.
Inspector Dhewa urged communities to look out for signs of distress among the elderly and to offer emotional and social support.
“Let us strengthen family ties and check on our loved ones, especially the elderly. Mental health is just as important as physical health,” he said.
