No Image Caption

Suicides among men continue to rise

Six deaths over the weekend
Men make up a large majority of the deaths by suicide reported in the country.
Elizabeth Kheibes
Five men and one woman died by suicide over the weekend.

This according to the Namibian Police, who earlier this year revealed that of the 151 deaths by suicide recorded between 1 January and 12 May, men made up over 80% of those incidents.

In Grootfontein, the body of 46-year-old Donatius Amwele was found after he hung himself in his room with an electrical cable. “The deceased’s body was taken to the Grootfontein mortuary. No foul play was detected and no suicide note was found,” a police report read.

At Okavugu village in the Oshikoto Region, 36-year-old Shidhika Leopald died by suicide after he was reportedly found in his room, hanging from an electric wire. His body was transported to the Onandjokwe State Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

In Oshikuku, a 39-year-old woman - identified as Luise Nangombe - died by suicide after she hung herself with a cloth. “It is alleged that the deceased left her boyfriend in their room and went to another room, where she was found hanging by a cloth and fighting for her life. The boyfriend said he cut the cloth with a panga, but she died shortly thereafter,” the police said.



Death by hanging leading choice

In another incident, in the Otjozondjupa Region’s Okondjatu settlement, the body of Angolan national Tuhafeni Shindele (32) was found hanging under a tree with a rope around his neck. No suicide note was found.

The police further reported that Paulus Phillipus Hamatundu (50) was found hanging from the roof of his bedroom with a rope around his neck. The incident took place in King Kauluma village in Oshikoto’s Nehale Lyampingana constituency. “No suicide note was found. It is further alleged that the deceased didn't show any sign of having any problems, despite [receiving treatment for a mental health issue].”

Lastly, in Keetmanshoop, Collin Phil Coetzee (33) was found in his room, hanging by a belt from the window’s burglar bars. His aunt found his body. “It is alleged that the deceased informed his aunt that he would commit suicide, which is why she was concerned and went to check up on him. The motive behind the alleged suicide is not known, and no suicide note was found,” the police said.



Rape

In unrelated news, a 50-year-old woman - who reportedly suffers from a mental illness - was allegedly raped in the Otjombinde area. “It is alleged that the victim woke up to someone touching her body and informed the suspect to get out and rather go sleep in her son's shack, but he refused and started removing her clothes before he raped her.”

According to a crime report, the suspect was found fast asleep next to the victim at around 04:00. A fight erupted between the suspect and the victim’s son, who made the discovery. The suspect fled the scene, police said, and has yet to be arrested.

In the Kavango West Region, a 15-year-old suspect allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl. He has also not been arrested yet.

Comments

Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

No comments have been left on this article

Please login to leave a comment

Katima Mulilo: 20° | 36° Rundu: 20° | 37° Eenhana: 22° | 36° Oshakati: 25° | 35° Ruacana: 22° | 36° Tsumeb: 23° | 36° Otjiwarongo: 22° | 35° Omaruru: 23° | 36° Windhoek: 23° | 34° Gobabis: 23° | 35° Henties Bay: 14° | 19° Swakopmund: 14° | 16° Walvis Bay: 13° | 20° Rehoboth: 23° | 35° Mariental: 24° | 38° Keetmanshoop: 24° | 39° Aranos: 28° | 38° Lüderitz: 13° | 25° Ariamsvlei: 23° | 40° Oranjemund: 13° | 21° Luanda: 25° | 26° Gaborone: 22° | 36° Lubumbashi: 17° | 32° Mbabane: 18° | 31° Maseru: 16° | 32° Antananarivo: 17° | 31° Lilongwe: 22° | 33° Maputo: 23° | 31° Windhoek: 23° | 34° Cape Town: 17° | 27° Durban: 20° | 25° Johannesburg: 19° | 31° Dar es Salaam: 26° | 32° Lusaka: 22° | 33° Harare: 21° | 31° #REF! #REF!