Suicides, the country’s nightmare
Pini Bothoko | Monday October 13, 2025 06:46
The phrase has found its way into everyday conversations, reflecting not only fatigue but also deep-seated despair. Sadly, the increasing number of people who take their own lives suggests that for some, being ‘re imetswe’ has reached breaking point.
Over the past weekend alone, Mmegi’s sister publication, The Monitor, carried three separate stories of suicide, while other local newspapers also reported similar tragedies from different parts of the country. This wave of suicides paints a worrying picture of a nation that appears to be silently crying out for help.
The Botswana Police Service (BPS) recently released its Independence Day celebrations’ crime overview, revealing that two people took their own lives during the holidays. These cases are just a part of a persistent and troubling trend that has gripped the country over the years. Even before the holidays, reports of suicide had already become frequent in the local press, indicating that the problem is far from isolated.
Back in 2023 Independence Day holiday, police had recorded 11 suicide cases and four cases in 2024 during the same period. Many now wonder whether the rising suicide cases are a reflection of eroding respect for the sanctity of human life, or if they are simply the symptoms of a deeper national mental health crisis that has yet to be fully acknowledged.
What is clear, however, is that men constitute the majority of suicide victims. Most take their lives by hanging or shooting themselves. Over the past weekend, two men, a 34-year-old soldier, a Lance Corporal stationed at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB), and a 20-year-old young man residing in Block 7, Gaborone, both committed suicide in separate incidents.
The soldier was found hanging at his cattle post in Lekolobong, on the outskirts of Kopong, while the younger man fatally shot himself using his uncle’s shotgun in Block 7, Gaborone. In both cases, no suicide notes were left behind, leaving family members and police officers grappling with unanswered questions.
This is a common pattern in many similar cases, making it difficult for investigators to identify underlying causes or to design targeted interventions. No. 13 District Officer Commanding, Senior Superintendent Mmoloke Sebako, who has been dealing with multiple cases under his policing area, has repeatedly urged members of the public to seek help rather than resorting to taking their own lives.
He said suicide not only ends one’s life but leaves a trail of pain, confusion, and unanswered questions for loved ones who are left behind.
Despite these repeated appeals, suicide incidents persist, prompting an urgent national conversation on the state of mental health, societal pressures, and the availability (or lack) of emotional support systems in Botswana.
While each case is unique, experts and social commentators have often pointed to unemployment, financial struggles, relationship breakdowns, and social isolation as major triggers. With the high cost of living, limited job opportunities, and economic uncertainty, many Batswana, particularly young men, are reportedly losing hope.
The phrase “re imetswe” resonates deeply with many who feel burdened by responsibilities and expectations they cannot meet. Unfortunately, for some, the feeling of helplessness turns into hopelessness, and they begin to see death as an escape.
Mental health advocates argue that Botswana still treats mental illness and emotional distress as taboo subjects, with people reluctant to seek help out of fear of being judged or misunderstood. Traditional expectations that men should be “strong” and not show vulnerability only worsen the situation, forcing many to suffer in silence. The police and health officials continue to appeal to citizens to speak out and seek professional or community support whenever they feel overwhelmed. Churches, social groups, and workplaces have also been encouraged to create open spaces for discussions around mental health and emotional well-being.
Some have suggested that the government should intensify investment in mental health services, including setting up more counselling centres and awareness programmes in both rural and urban areas. Others believe that empowering citizens through job creation, youth empowerment initiatives, and social safety nets would help reduce the feelings of despair that drive people to suicide.