…all in a space of five days
Police in Maun have registered four suicide incidents in a space of five days last week The latest incidents involve three men and a teenage boy who all claimed their lives by hanging.
According to Maun Police Deputy Station Commander, Assistant Superintendent Michael Bagai, the first incident took place in Moeti Ward where some children came across the traumatic scene of a 23-year-old man hanging from a tree. The incident was reported on Sunday (20 July) when the children were walking along a passage in the bushy area when they witnessed the scene.
The children are said to have raised an alarm, alerting the elders who promptly reported the matter to the police. The deceased did not leave any suicide note.
Superintendent Bagai further revealed that later that same morning, the police were informed of a second suspected suicide incident involving a 51-year-old man of Disaneng who was also found hanging from a tree in Disana ward.
Three days later, the police received another report at around 18.30 that a 15-year-old student of Tshwaragano Junior Secondary School hung himself in his parents’ house in Matlapana ward. The deceased is said to have committed suicide after his parents reprimanded him for something he had done wrong.
The next evening, around 2000hrs, police rushed to yet another suicide incident in Botshabelo ward where a 32-year-old man was hanging from a tree outside his home. The man is said to have been with his family prior to the incident and did not show any signs of distress or anger.
The concerned Bagai said suicide incidents are driven by various factors, including mental health disorders, substance abuse, and socio-economic challenges, compounded by limited access to mental health care and widespread stigma surrounding mental illness.
Bagai has since urged the public to avoid such tragic acts, emphasising the emotional and financial toll they take on families, communities, and law enforcement. He reminded the community that the police are always available to help those in distress and encouraged individuals facing serious challenges to seek support from local resources such as the Hospital and at the social workers.
Bagai further mentioned that suicide is common among men as they do not like talking about their problems so often. He emphasised the importance of addressing mental health challenges saying that it could reduce suicide or suicidal thoughts.
