A 21-year-old man from Cowdray Park, Zimbabwe, South Africa, has passed away after ingesting rat poison following a domestic dispute with his mother over spilled cooking oil.
The tragic event, which took place on Saturday, July 12, concluded fatally in the early hours of Monday despite medical efforts to save his life. According to Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the deceased, named18 named Thabiso Ndlovu, consumed the deadly substance soon after being reprimanded.
“The altercation began when the mother reprimanded her son for accidentally spilling two litres of cooking oil,” Inspector Msebele said. “The situation escalated, leading to this devastating outcome.”
After taking the poison, Ndlovu started vomiting and admitted to his mother that he had ingested the toxic substance. He was immediately taken to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he received urgent medical care. However, he succumbed to the poison’s effects around 5:40 a.m. on Monday morning.
Inspector Msebele took the opportunity to encourage families and individuals to resolve conflicts peacefully and to seek mental health support when experiencing emotional distress.
“We strongly advise families to communicate openly and utilize available counseling services. Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems,” she said.
Authorities also reiterated their dedication to promoting mental health awareness and services in the community, urging residents to seek help during times of crisis.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli