The Bulawayo community has been left grief-stricken after a 16-year-old girl took her own life by ingesting an insecticide upon discovering that she had failed the 2025 Ordinary Level examinations.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the tragic incident, saying the teenager resided in Nguboyenja, Bulawayo.
On 16 January 2026, at around 2130 hours, the now-deceased checked her examination results on the ZIMSEC portal.
“Upon discovering that she had only passed two subjects out of seven, she became devastated and started crying,” said Inspector Msebele.
“After some time, she appeared to calm down before rushing to the kitchen, where she took Dichlorvos insecticide from a cupboard. The chemical had been bought for killing cockroaches, and she drank it.”
Inspector Msebele said the teenager was seen drinking the insecticide by one of her cousins, who screamed and immediately snatched the container while alerting other family members.
Her cousins attempted to render first aid by giving her milk and charcoal before rushing her to Mpilo Central Hospital, where she later died upon admission. A police report was subsequently filed.
Inspector Msebele urged young people to always speak out to parents, teachers, counsellors, or trusted friends whenever they feel emotionally overwhelmed, stressing that taking one’s life is not a solution.
“We also urge parents and guardians not to keep pesticides, poisons, or toxic chemicals within reach of children,” she said.
