A 19-year-old from Epworth, Harare in Zimbabwe, has died by suic!de under deeply tragic circumstances after facing rejection both at home and in the community.
The teenager, identified as Tanyaradzwa Rimau, was found hanging from a roof beam in his parents’ home on Wednesday, April 9, shortly after midday. His death has sent shockwaves through the Overspill area, raising urgent questions about mental health, youth support, and family dynamics.
According to relatives and neighbours, Tanyaradzwa had recently impregnated a 17-year-old girl in the community. Following the revelation, his father, Trymore Rimau, reportedly expelled him from the family home, citing bad behaviour. Relatives say the teen sought refuge with a woman in the Solani area of Epworth, but he was also asked to leave that household.
Left with nowhere else to go, Tanyaradzwa returned to the family home while his parents were at work. His 11-year-old brother, who had been sent to the shops, returned to discover the lifeless body and immediately informed their aunt.
Speaking to local tabloid H-Metro, Trymore Rimau acknowledged that he had expelled his son more than once. He said the pregnancy incident was just one part of an ongoing pattern of troubling behaviour. “He wasn’t coming home, he was living on the streets, and when he came back, he caused problems, so I chucked him out,” he said.
Trymore also claimed that Tanyaradzwa had become increasingly disrespectful and failed to take responsibility for his actions. However, family members say his behaviour may have been symptomatic of deeper struggles. His aunt, who declined to be named, alleged that the teenager had been using drugs and that this could have clouded his judgment. “He was also chucked out by the woman he was staying with, and he returned home, but his father chased him away again,” she said. “He then came back home knowing his parents had gone for work, and took his own life.”
The tragedy has stirred reflection within the community. A local elder from the Overspill area, who also spoke anonymously, expressed sorrow over the situation. “The boy needed help. Yes, he had made mistakes, but it is painful that no one could reach him before it was too late. In our society, people think chasing a child away is discipline, but sometimes it breaks them for good,” the elder said.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suicide. While authorities have yet to release an official statement, the incident is being treated with grave concern. The identity and condition of the 17-year-old girl involved have not been disclosed due to her age.
The case has reignited conversations about youth mental health, family support structures, and the consequences of rejection in already vulnerable lives.
