In a rare incident of suicide, police in Shakawe are searching for the body of a 25-year-old man of Mabudutsa ward who is suspected to have committed suicide by drowning on Thursday last week.
Shakawe police Station Commander Superintendent Ogolotse Tampa told The Ngami Times News that the incident occurred following a night out at a shebeen when the deceased and a group of friends returned home and planned to prepare a sumptuous meal of meat to enjoy together.
Tampa disclosed that while they were hanging together, the deceased reportedly told the friends that it would be the last time they saw each other, before fleeing. Alarmed by the sudden turn of events, the friend allegedly pursued the distraught man and managed to catch up with him.
After catching up with him and wrestling him to the ground, the friend was allegedly forced to let go when the man bit him. He reportedly went on with his run before climbing up a tree and jump into the river.
Tampa stated that Shakawe Police have been searching for the man within the river but have not been successful locating the body. The search is still ongoing and it’s a collaborative effort of the Botswana Defence Force and Police scuba divers, who have been searching since the day of the alleged incident.
Tampa shared that the norm in such cases, after three days following the drowning, the body would usually surface and float, adding that has not happened in this case. He said this necessitates the search to continue until further notice.
He stated the incident adds to a concerning trend in the area, with six suicides recorded so far this year – five males and one female.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the statistics on suicide in Africa show a significant gender disparity, with males being more likely to die by suicide than females. Generally, the male-to-female suicide ratio in Africa ranges from about 2 to 1 to 4 to 1. This means that for every female suicide, there are approximately two to four male suicides. This pattern is consistent with global trends, where males generally have higher suicide rates than females.
The exact ratios can vary by country and region within Africa due to differences in cultural, social, and economic factors. WHO data highlights that the higher suicide rates among males are often linked to factors such as societal expectations, reluctance to seek help, and greater access to lethal means.
WHO findings in Botswana indicate that in general, suicide rates 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.
Tampa has 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 Kavindama Hospital and social workers.
