By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutimutema, 7 April 2025 – In a tragic turn of events, Fanwell Dauda, a 40-year-old resident of Mutimutema Village at Chief Hata, was found hanging from a tree early on June 4, 2025.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about mental health and the need for support systems in times of crisis.
According to reports, on June 3 at around 5:00 PM, Dauda received a phone call from his wife, Mildret Chigwanda, informing him that he was wanted by Nyanga police in connection with allegations of sexual abuse. Distressed by the news, Dauda returned home around 9:00 PM, visibly upset and reportedly expressing, “I would rather die than go to jail for a crime I did not commit.”
On the morning of June 4, Dauda woke up around 3:00 AM, stating he was going to his father’s homestead for a meeting. When Mildret followed him around 7:00 AM, she discovered that he was missing. After several attempts to reach him by phone, which went unanswered, Mildret enlisted the help of neighbors to search for him.
Tragically, the search ended when Dauda’s lifeless body was discovered hanging 100 meters from his homestead. Authorities from the Nyanga police department responded to the scene and determined that there were no visible signs of bruises on the body. Subsequently, Dauda was transported to Nyanga Hospital, where he is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The community is grappling with the shock of this tragic incident, and there are calls for increased mental health support. Local leaders emphasize the importance of seeking third-party counseling and mental health resources during times of distress. “People are urged to engage with counselors to avoid panic. Perhaps Fanwell did not commit a crime; we must remember that a person is innocent until proven guilty,” urged a community spokesperson.
This devastating event highlights the need for open discussions about mental health, support structures, and the effects of legal allegations on individuals and their families.
As the community mourns the loss of Fanwell Dauda, it serves as a somber reminder of the critical need for mental health resources and support within the village.