Ray Bande and Tendai Gukutikwa
A Form Three learner who committed suicide in a school toilet at St Mary’s Secondary School in Chikanga, Mutare on Tuesday had just been reprimanded for aberrant behaviour by her grandmother, The Manica Post has established.
The nasty incident left social media users in the eastern border city purporting different schools of thought on the reasons that led the teenager to take her own life.
When our news crew visited the family’s Chikanga Phase Two home yesterday (Thursday), we gathered that the late 14-year-old Rumbidzai Chimusasa had an acrimonious relationship with her stepmother.
However, on the fateful day, she had been warned against errant behaviour by her grandmother, Ms Juliet Mafunga, whom she was staying with.
In an interview, the visibly distraught Ms Mafunga said she had warned Rumbidzai against coming home late and also advised her to cut ties with some of her close friends.
“I am not sure if I was supposed to just remain and watch her coming home late as well as continue playing with friends that I knew would be of bad influence to her.
“I took her as my own child. I have six children and I am not married. I am a vendor and the least I expected was to be troubled by kids that I work so hard to feed.
“On the day she died, I had warned her against playing with some of her naughty friends and told her to stop coming home late. I am not sure if this is what prompted her to commit suicide, but surely was I wrong?,” she said.
“I did not only reprimand her. I also reprimanded my own daughter. My daughter heeded my advice, so I do not know whether this offended Rumbidzai or not. I think there was more to her decision to commit suicide than my words.
Ms Mafunga, without divulging much detail, also told The Manica Post that there was a rift between the late teenager and her stepmother, which resulted in her coming to stay with her.
“I know that there was bad blood between Runbi and her stepmother, but unfortunately only her father can explain that. I also got to hear about some scary things that happened between her and her stepmother that I cannot disclose,” she added.
Rumbidzai’s father was said to be still at his rural home in Masvingo where the late teenager was laid to rest. His mobile phone was not reachable.
The incident resulted in learners at the school being dismissed early on Tuesday after Rumbidzai had committed suicide in one of the school’s toilets.
Yesterday, the Roman Catholic Mutare Diocese education secretary, Mr Lawrence Chibvuri said they have been conducting prayers and counselling sessions at St Mary’s Secondary School to help learners cope with their social challenges and also help them cope with the recent nasty incident.
“It is very unfortunate that she failed to open up and seek counselling from the school authorities. Instead she decided to end her life and this is the main message we are giving to our children at the school as well as all other Catholic schools.
“We are saddened, however, by the choice of place for the suicide because it causes trauma to other learners and the teachers. Therefore the prayers and counselling sessions are meant to help them cope with the sad incident,” he said.
Mr Chibvuri added: “We encourage learners to open up and not resort to drastic measures when they are going through tough times. We hope that other responsible authorities will also join in this fight against suicide and upscale counselling facilities at schools because when a learner enrols with you, the goal is for them to emerge victorious, not for them to cut their lives short.”
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo said police are yet to establish what led the late Rumbidzai to commit suicide.
“We are yet to establish what led her to commit suicide. I am sure the parents or guardians would know better. However, as the police, we will continue urging parents and guardians to have a cordial relationship with their children so that they are free to open up on all problems that they will be facing, rather than resorting to committing suicide,” said Inspector Muzondo.