A sombre atmosphere has gripped the resort town of Victoria Falls following the tragic death of a Grade 4 boy, who reportedly took his own life after a misunderstanding with his grandmother over a lunch box. The incident has shocked the local community and left the boy’s family heartbroken, with relatives describing him as a bright, disciplined, and promising child whose life was cut short under devastating circumstances.
The deceased has been identified as Nyasha Rukobo, a 10-year-old pupil who was known for his academic excellence and cheerful nature. According to H-Metro, Nyasha’s lifeless body was found hanging from a Jatropha tree, not far from his family home. His father, Mr. Adore Rukobo, confirmed the heartbreaking news and said the boy’s remains were later transported to Mberengwa for burial at the family’s rural home in Rukovo Village.
In a grief-stricken interview, Mr. Rukobo described his son as a “brilliant and responsible boy” who always performed well at school and showed great promise for the future. “We lost a brilliant boy who was always the top student in his class,” he said. “The misunderstanding with his grandmother escalated, and after being threatened with punishment and denied food, he became angry and left home. We never thought it would end this way.”
The tragic sequence of events reportedly began after Nyasha’s grandmother gave his younger brother permission to use Nyasha’s lunch box. Nyasha objected, saying he feared his brother might lose it. His fears proved justified when the younger sibling misplaced the lunch box later that day.
Witnesses say Nyasha became furious upon learning of the loss and allegedly assaulted his younger brother in anger. The grandmother, trying to restore order, intervened and reprimanded him for the violent behaviour. In response, Nyasha stormed out of the house in distress — and that was the last time his family saw him alive.
Victoria Falls Tragedy: Young Boy Commits Suicide Following Lunch Box Dispute
Hours later, a search party found his body hanging from a tree nearby. The discovery sent shockwaves through the family and the entire community, many of whom struggled to comprehend how a minor dispute could lead to such a tragedy.
Family members described the situation as “unimaginable,” noting that Nyasha had always been a quiet and well-behaved child. “He loved school and wanted to become a teacher,” a relative said. “No one could have imagined he would take such a drastic step. It’s a painful lesson for all of us.”
Following the tragedy, Nyasha’s body was transported to Mberengwa, where the burial was conducted in accordance with traditional customs associated with cases of suicide. Such ceremonies, rooted in local belief systems, are conducted under special cultural guidelines meant to prevent spiritual disturbances.
According to family sources, the funeral proceedings were held outside the homestead, as cultural norms forbid conducting burials inside the family yard in cases involving suicide. All doors to the homestead were locked during the service to prevent what traditionalists describe as “wandering spirits” from entering the home.
In keeping with custom, mourners were also prohibited from bathing during the mourning period, a symbolic act reflecting the cleansing rituals that would follow later. Nyasha’s body, too, was kept outside the home prior to burial, in line with long-standing traditions that are believed to safeguard the family from recurring misfortunes.
Community elders said such measures are part of a broader effort to “appease the spirits” and prevent similar tragedies in the future. “Suicide is considered a taboo in our culture,” one elder explained. “When it happens, certain rites must be performed to separate the spirit of the deceased from the living so that peace returns to the family.”
The heartbreaking case has reignited discussions about mental health awareness among children, especially in rural and semi-urban communities where such issues are often misunderstood or ignored. Social workers and child psychologists have called for greater attention to early emotional distress signals in young people, noting that cultural silence and harsh discipline can sometimes exacerbate their struggles.
“This tragedy highlights how even small domestic conflicts can have devastating consequences when children feel unheard or unloved,” said a child welfare advocate. “We need to start creating safe spaces at home and in schools where children can express their emotions freely.”
As the Rukobo family continues to mourn, community members have united in offering support, prayers, and comfort. The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the fragile emotional lives of children and the importance of empathy, patience, and open communication in family settings.
For now, the family of young Nyasha finds solace in memories of his bright smile and academic excellence, even as they struggle to come to terms with the painful reality of his untimely death.
“He was our pride and joy,” said his father quietly. “We will never understand why this happened, but we pray his soul finds peace.”
Source- iHarare
