A quiet Thursday morning at Kwite Primary School in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South, turned into a scene of shock and mourning after a Grade 5 teacher was found dead by suicide in his staff quarters. The tragic incident occurred on 3 July, during school break time, and has since sent ripples of grief and disbelief across the school community.
The deceased, Shelton Kasere Lubimbi, aged 34, was discovered by a colleague around 10:00 AM, hanging from a roof truss inside his residence on school grounds. According to those close to him, there had been no outward signs of distress. There was no written suicide note, no explanation—only a sheet of paper bearing a list of phone numbers, believed to belong to close family members.
The shocking discovery was immediately reported to Mangwe Police Station, and police officers responded swiftly to the scene. Lubimbi’s body was later transported to Plumtree District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Confirming the incident, Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, called the tragedy a sobering reminder of the silent mental health crisis affecting communities and workplaces alike. She urged citizens to take signs of emotional distress seriously, especially among educators and others in emotionally demanding professions.
“We urge people to take mental health seriously and engage in open, honest conversations. If someone displays suicidal tendencies or seems withdrawn, do not ignore it. Encourage them to seek professional counselling and support,” said Inspector Dube.
While the investigation is ongoing, colleagues and school officials have described Lubimbi as a dedicated and soft-spoken teacher who rarely shared personal troubles. He was well-liked by his students and staff alike, making the sudden nature of his death all the more difficult to process.
School headmaster Mr. Themba Dlamini expressed deep sorrow over the incident, noting that staff and students were traumatised by the loss. He said counselling services were being arranged for both learners and teaching staff to help them cope with the emotional fallout.
“We are in complete shock. Teacher Lubimbi was a valued member of our teaching team. The fact that he left without saying anything has left us confused and broken. We are doing everything we can to support our learners and staff during this difficult time,” said Mr. Dlamini.
Sources at the school indicated that Lubimbi had returned from a short leave just days before his death. There were no clear signs that he was battling depression or any emotional struggles. However, experts caution that many people dealing with suicidal thoughts often conceal their internal battles.
Tragedy at Kwite Primary: Grade 5 Teacher Found Hanging, Leaves Behind Only Phone Numbers
Mental health professionals say the tragedy highlights the urgent need for mental health services in rural schools and remote communities. Zimbabwe’s public education system, while vital, places immense pressure on teachers who often work in under-resourced environments, isolated from major towns, and away from family support systems.
Community leaders in Mangwe echoed calls for improved mental health awareness and access to counselling in schools. Local councillor Mrs. Nokuthula Moyo described the incident as “a wake-up call” for government and society at large to take the emotional well-being of teachers seriously.
“Teachers are pillars in our communities. They nurture the future of our children, often while battling their own challenges. We need to create a system that supports them emotionally, just as much as we do professionally,” she said.
Back at Kwite Primary, the mood remains sombre. Students were sent home early on the day of the incident, and classes were temporarily suspended. The school has since resumed operations, but the emotional scars are likely to linger for some time.
Shelton Lubimbi’s death adds to a growing number of suicide cases reported across the country in recent months, with mental health advocates calling for urgent reforms and increased investment in emotional wellness programs.
For now, a grieving family is left with only questions — and a piece of paper with phone numbers that Shelton thought would somehow explain what he could not bring himself to say.
Police say further details will be released pending the outcome of the post-mortem and ongoing investigations. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
Source- Herald
