A heartbreaking incident has shaken the Mutare community after a 13-year-old Grade 7 learner, Shylet Matanhire, took her own life by consuming rat poison.
The tragedy unfolded after she was reprimanded by her mother for returning home late, leaving everyone in shock and sorrow.
A Desperate Apology From Grade 7 Student
Shylet’s desperate act followed a scolding from her mother, Mai Matanhire, who was concerned about her daughter coming home late.
Shylet’s aunt, Ms. Sophia Mazeya, recounted the tragic event, telling the Manica Post,
“Shylet was a well-behaved child, and we did not hear about any shenanigans before Sunday when she got in trouble for coming home late.”
The distressed Grade 7 girl even apologized to her mother and aunt for taking the rat poison before being rushed to a nearby clinic.
Grade 7 Student Commits Suicide By Taking Rat Poison
Shylet Matanhire’s aunt, Ms Sophia Mazeya
The Mysterious Night Out
The circumstances leading up to Shylet’s decision remain unclear. She had left her siblings at home and went out with a 15-year-old boy from the neighbourhood. Shylet only returned home around 8 pm.
Neighbours were puzzled by this sudden change in her behaviour. Mai Banda, a neighbour, revealed, “We knew her as a well-behaved girl, and we don’t know what really prompted her to cut her beautiful life short like that.”
The Tragic Outcome Of Consuming Rat Poison
Tragedy struck when Shylet consumed rat poison following the confrontation with her mother. She later confessed to the act, prompting her mother to raise the alarm.
Neighbours rushed her to a nearby clinic before she was transferred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. Unfortunately, Shylet succumbed to the rat poison in the early hours of Monday morning.
Mystery Unraveled by Police
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Norbert Muzondo, confirmed the incident of the 13-year-old Grade 7 girl’s suicide from rat poison, stating,
“We are yet to get more details on what prompted her to consume the poison as the matter came to our light after Shylet’s admission and subsequent death. Investigations are in progress.”
The post-mortem results revealed that Shylet died of organophosphate poisoning.
Organophosphate Poisoning
Organophosphate poisoning, a lethal outcome of exposure to organophosphate pesticides, can have severe consequences. Symptoms include increased saliva and tear production, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, small eye pupils, sweating, muscle tremors, and confusion.
The tragic loss of Shylet Matanhire serves as a grim reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and early intervention.
The Destiny community mourns the untimely loss of a promising young life. Shylet Matanhire was on the verge of her final examinations. This heart-wrenching incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for open communication and support for individuals facing emotional turmoil.
Source iHarare
