A 16-year-old girl from Nguboyenja suburb in Bulawayo tragically took her own life by drinking poison after learning she had failed her 2025 O-Level examinations.
It is alleged that she consumed cockroach insecticide shortly after checking her November 2025 Ordinary Level results, where she had passed only two subjects out of seven.
The incident occurred on 16 January at around 9:30 PM when the teenager accessed her results on the ZIMSEC website.
Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the incident. She said:
“On January 16, at around 2130 hours, the now deceased checked her results on the ZIMSEC portal.
“Upon discovering that she only passed two subjects out of seven, she was devastated and started crying.
“She later stopped crying, rushed to the kitchen, took an insecticide from the cupboard that was bought for killing cockroaches, and drank it.
“While she was taking the pesticide, she was seen by one of her cousins who screamed and quickly snatched the insecticide at the same time calling for help.
“Her cousins tried to render first aid by giving her milk and charcoal. She was rushed to Mpilo Hospital, where she died upon admission.
“As the Police, we urge young people to always speak out to parents, teachers, counsellors, or close friends whenever they feel overwhelmed emotionally, as taking their own lives is not a solution.
“We also urge parents not to keep pesticides, poisons, or toxic chemicals within reach of children.”
Related:
Govt Caps O-Level Subjects At Nine, A-Level At Three
ZIMSEC Releases 2025 November A-Level Results