Man, 38, deported from South Africa found hanging from tree branch in Chipinge

A 38-year-old man from Chipinge was found hanged at his family homestead last week after reportedly becoming distressed about belongings he left behind in South Africa following his deportation.

The deceased has been identified as Luke Sithole of Watershed Village under Chief Mapungwana.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident.

He said Sithole had been struggling emotionally since his deportation in May and had frequently spoken about property he was unable to recover.

His father, Mike Sithole, 72, told police his son had been deeply troubled in recent months.

“Luke’s father reported that after being deported from South Africa sometime in May, his son repeatedly complained about belongings he had left behind. He said Luke was constantly worried about recovering the property and often spoke about it,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said.

Police said Sithole went to bed as usual on the evening of 11 September. The following morning, his father went to check on him and found his bedroom empty.

After searching the homestead, he found his son hanging from a tree branch just outside the family yard and reported the matter to ZRP Chipinge.

Officers attended the scene, and the body was taken to Chipinge District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

No suicide note was recovered, and preliminary investigations have found no signs of foul play.

“The matter is being treated as a suspected suicide. Investigations are continuing,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said.

He urged members of the public facing emotional and psychological distress to seek support from family, community leaders, churches and professional counsellors.

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