A series of tragic suicides in the Bulawayo suburb of Entumbane has sparked concern and a call for action from local residents, grappling with the disturbing sight of several men ending their lives by hanging to trees. Over the past two months, five men have tragically taken their own lives in this way, causing widespread fear and grief in the community.

The most recent case concerns a middle-aged man who, almost a fortnight ago, chose to end his life on a large tree in an open field, located a short distance from Entumbane, close to a railway line and an electrical substation in Richmond. His body, hidden behind thick green branches, was discovered by a passerby who alerted the community and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The sight of a lifeless body hanging from a tree quickly attracted crowds, but for Nkosikhona Mlilo, a longtime Entumbane resident, it was another grim reminder of the growing suicide crisis in his neighborhood.

Mlilo, a middle-aged man who grew up in the suburbs, expressed deep concern about the growing number of suicides. “It is very worrying to see our brothers committing suicide almost every week,” he said, pointing to the tree where the last victim was found. “He is the fifth man to hang himself here in just two months.”

For residents like Mlilo, seeing a dead body hanging from a tree has become almost routine, a chilling symbol of the invisible struggles faced by many men in the community. “Death is now something we no longer fear here in Entumbane,” he lamented. “Our kids now talk about seeing someone hanging from a tree somewhere in broad daylight, because they see it on their phone or witness it themselves.”

In response to this alarming trend, some residents have called for the felling of trees where suicides have occurred, in hopes of preventing further deaths. However, local leaders say cutting down trees is not a solution to the underlying mental health crisis.

Pastor Descent Tshuma, a member of the Entumbane Residents’ Association and leader of the local church, stressed that the problem is not just cutting down trees, but addressing the psychological pressures faced by men in the community. community. “Men are under immense pressure to provide for their families, and when they fail to do so, it can push them to take desperate measures,” Tshuma said.

Pastor Tshuma and other community leaders have partnered with local businesses to offer counseling services and organize awareness campaigns to support men in their emotional difficulties. The initiative includes roadshows and open discussions about mental health, with trained counselors available to help those who wish to speak out.

“Suicide is not the solution,” Tshuma said. “We need to create an environment where men can talk openly about their issues and get the support they need before it’s too late.”

Traditional beliefs have also contributed to the growing unease in the region. Gogo Mbuyani, a traditional healer from the nearby suburb of Pumula Old, claimed that some unscrupulous healers used the bark of trees where suicides took place for rituals intended to incite others to commit suicide. “When a person commits suicide, their spirit lingers around the tree and some traditional healers use the bark for unholy rituals,” explained Gogo Mbuyani.

While some community members, like Butholezwe Nxumalo, are demanding the felling of trees to prevent further suicides, others, like Pastor Tshuma, are emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of these tragedies. “Cutting down trees is not the solution. We need to address the psychological and societal issues that lead to these deaths,” he said.

Local parents have also expressed concern, with one anonymous resident revealing her fears about disciplining her children in light of recent suicides. “I am now hesitant to scold my children because I am afraid they will take drastic action and commit suicide,” she explained. “Something must be done to address this crisis and ensure the well-being of our children.”

Local councilor Khalazani Ndlovu could not be contacted for comment on the legality of felling trees where suicides have occurred, but Bulawayo City Council regulations state that felling trees in spaces public requires municipal authorization.

As the number of suicides continues to rise, residents of Entumbane are calling for more to be done to prevent further loss of life. Community leaders are urging local authorities and society at large to come together to tackle mental health issues plaguing the suburb and to provide better support to those struggling in silence.