Tragedy struck Harare’s Kuwadzana suburb following the suicide of Taurai Manyepo, a 34-year-old father of two, after he lost $500 in a sports bet.
The money, which he had borrowed from a neighbor, was wagered on Manchester City in a FIFA Club World Cup match.
While football fans around the world were enjoying the tournament, Manyepo was facing a devastating personal crisis.
A passionate sports betting enthusiast, he had staked the entire borrowed amount on Manchester City to defeat Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia.
The match ended in a 4-3 upset, with the English side unexpectedly losing in extra time.
Investigations revealed that Manyepo had not disclosed his real intentions when borrowing the money.
He reportedly told his creditor, Lloyd Pikiri, that the funds were needed to pay for a CT scan for his mother at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
“I feel like I’m responsible,” Pikiri said. “He made it sound like a genuine emergency for his mother’s health.”
Unable to cope with the fallout, Manyepo took his life just days after the match. Police say the case highlights the need for serious scrutiny of suicide incidents, especially those that go unreported by families.
The World Bank estimates Zimbabwe’s suicide rate at 17.34%, and experts note that gambling-related cases are becoming increasingly frequent.
Manyepo’s story is not an isolated one — similar incidents have been recorded across the country in recent years.
In 2019, a man from Chinhoyi died by suicide after losing $600 in gambling.
More recently, a Harare man reportedly collapsed after losing $724 while playing Aviator, a popular online betting game.
Even professionals aren’t immune: one former manager at Baker’s Inn was caught stealing over $3,400 from his employer to fund his gambling habit.
Psychologist Kudakwashe Mchena compares gambling addiction to substance abuse, warning that it often requires professional intervention.
Public figures have also weighed in. Broadcaster Rebecca Chisamba denounced the growing trend, labeling gambling-related suicides as “selfish” and reminding the public that “there is no guaranteed win in betting.”
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