ONGWEDIVA – Disheartened over alleged rejection by his girlfriend, a 24-year-old man reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself over the weekend. 

The incident happened at Efinde village in the Ohangwena region in the Oshikunde constituency.

The victim has been identified as Shaapwa Benjamin Penelaka. 

According to police crime investigator in the Ohangwena region deputy commissioner Zachariah Amakali, the victim had argued with his girlfriend a day prior to the incident.

It is alleged that the following day, Penelaka took a gun and told his housemate he was going to hunt birds.

Amakali said, later, the neighbours heard about a gunshot – and when they went to the scene, his body was discovered in the bushes.

Still in the Ohangwena region, a 79-year-old man died after he shot himself with a rifle at Owalyainda-Eemo village over the weekend.

The victim has been identified as Annanias Wapunduka. No suicide note was left.

Police investigations continue in the two suicide cases.

Commenting on the suicides in the northern region, a social worker at the Oshakati State Hospital, Victoria Hauwanga, said men generally do not seek counselling services whenever they have issues regarding their relationships.

Therefore, she said, it is the reason men have become victims of suicide or passion killing.

“It is very helpful that people seek counselling services to prevent them from committing suicide. Therefore, committing suicide is not a solution,” Hauwanga advised. - fhamalwa@nepc.com.na