Church treasurer found hanging from an avocado tree

A Presbyterian church treasurer was found hanging from an avocado tree in Highfield on Monday.

Taurai Mukotsanjera, 32, was also the church’s youth coordinator.

Taurai left behind a suicide note that revealed he was struggling with severe financial challenges amounting to US$600.

He used a vehicle fan belt to kill himself.

Petronella Mukotsanjera, Taurai’s 74-year-old mother, spoke to H-Metro.

“Taurai andirwadzisa,” she said, as she battled tears. I do not believe that it was just the debt that troubled him. If he had shared his problems, I would have done anything to help him.”

A beloved figure in the community, Taurai was known for his kindness and dedication, particularly towards his daughter, who lives with a disability.

One church member described him as “loving and joyful,” highlighting his commitment to helping youths in the community.

“We have lost a bright spirit who cared deeply.”

Taurai’s vehicle, critical for transporting children to school, had fallen into disrepair.

The mounting pressure to fix it, coupled with debts incurred from his cousin’s funeral, created unbearable stress for him. “He had taken a loan and the pressure from the lender was overwhelming,” a neighbour said.

Taurai was last seen at a local shebeen where he bought a beer for a neighbour named Letty.

He did not drink alcohol. His body was taken to the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

He is survived by his wife and their seven-year-old daughter. *_-H-Metro_