Man commits suicide after drug abuse reprimand

A 21-YEAR-OLD Shurugwi man allegedly drank poison following a misunderstanding with his mother over drugs and substance abuse.

A 21-YEAR-OLD Shurugwi man allegedly drank poison following a misunderstanding with his mother over drugs and substance abuse.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday confirmed the tragic incident in which Steven Peterson took his own life after being warned by his mother to stop taking drugs.

“We confirm receiving a report of sudden death by poisoning in an incident that took place at Prince Farm in Shurugwi on July 16, 2024,” Mahoko said.

“It is alleged that Steven Peterson, aged 21, was drunk when his mother warned him against taking drugs. This, however, did not go down well with Peterson and a misunderstanding ensued between the two. Peterson then threatened to take his life by drinking cyanide and he left home.”

Mahoko said the deceased was later found groaning in pain and vomiting before being rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, Mahoko urged the public to desist from drugs and substance abuse as this can lead to loss of life.

Zimbabwe is battling drug and substance abuse scourge.

Experts have called for a multi-sectoral approach in dealing with the national drug menace.

In May, a man astonished his colleagues and neighbours in Chegutu by cutting open his stomach with a knife, claiming he felt something moving inside him.

The man, commonly known as Marabha, made a deep cut in his abdomen, exposing his intestines.

He later passed on in the hospital.

Witnesses who tried to stop him were met with threats and aggressive behaviour.

He yelled that he did not want to be interrupted as he was “removing something” from his stomach.

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