Listen Moyo
The Police in Bulawayo are investigating the sudden death of Zebron Phiri, a 54-year-old man from Old Magwegwe, who was found hanged in his home on August 17, 2025, a day after confiding to a neighbor about his intention to take his own life.
According to Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the Press and Public Relations Officer for Bulawayo Province, a 78-year-old female neighbor visited Phiri at his residence on August 16 at around 4:00 PM. During their conversation, Phiri disclosed his struggles, stating, “he wanted to commit suicide due to economic hardship and that his children are not taking care of him.” He further informed her that “he was going to hang himself inside his room and shall leave the doors and windows open so that people will easily find his body,”
Inspector Msebele reported. On the morning of August 17, at approximately 7:00 AM, the neighbor observed that Phiri’s doors and windows remained open. Concerned by the lack of response when she called his name, she enlisted another neighbor to assist. Upon entering the house, they discovered Phiri’s lifeless body lying face-up with a rope around his neck, the other end tied to a truss. Relatives were promptly notified, and a police report was filed.
The police are treating the case as a sudden death pending further investigation. Inspector Msebele emphasized the importance of addressing mental health concerns, stating, “We encourage members of the public to take seriously conversations about suicide and suicide tendency and seek professional help for the concerned parties.”
