Tragic Incidents of Suicide in Mzuzu Shock Community
The community of Mzuzu is in shock following two tragic suicide incidents that have claimed the lives of a 14-year-old girl and a 36-year-old man, writes our Staff Reporter.
Mzuzu, Malawi - The community of Mzuzu is in shock following two tragic suicide incidents that have claimed the lives of a 14-year-old girl and a 36-year-old man, writes our Staff Reporter.
The incidents, occurring in separate locations, have prompted the local police to issue a public advisory on seeking support and counselling rather than resorting to such extreme measures, according to Constable Mercy Chitonde, Assistant Public Relations Officer at Mzuzu Police Station.
On May 16, 2023, Moles Mwandila, a 14-year-old girl from Vumo village in Traditional Authority Nthalire, Chitipa district, went missing.
Her disappearance was reported to the police, who immediately launched an investigation. Unfortunately, on May 21, 2023, Moles was found dead in a decomposed state in a henhouse in Lubinga, Mzuzu, in what is suspected to be a suicide.
Police officers, accompanied by medical personnel, visited the scene, and a postmortem conducted at Mzuzu Central Hospital determined that Moles died from strangulation.
In a related incident, 36-year-old Wakisa Mwandalo was found dead in his bedroom in Chiputula on May 22, 2023, at around 4:00 am.
It is believed that Wakisa took his own life by hanging himself following a quarrel with a friend the previous day, the reasons for which remain undisclosed.
The postmortem conducted at Mzuzu Central Hospital revealed that the cause of death was suffocation due to strangulation.
Wakisa hailed from Mwashokera village in Traditional Authority Kyungu, Karonga district.
The Mzuzu Police Station is urging the general public to seek assistance from the Police Victim Support Unit, churches, traditional leaders, and non-governmental organisations in order to receive counselling and guidance on how to address their troubles effectively, finding better solutions rather than resorting to suicide.
This advisory aims to raise awareness about the available support systems and prevent further tragic incidents in the community.
Constable Chitonde emphasised the importance of seeking help and highlighted the significance of addressing troubling issues with professional assistance to find suitable remedies and support.
The incidents of suicide have sent shockwaves through the community, prompting a collective call for increased mental health support and awareness in Mzuzu and the wider region.