Rethabile Pitso
RECENT reports of men taking their own lives have raised alarm over their mental wellbeing, with psychologist Lineo Chabeli calling for coordinated national efforts to address the growing crisis.
This week alone, the bodies of two men were recovered from separate water streams in what are believed to be suicide incidents.
One of the deceased has been identified as Lebuang Stephen Moeno (59), a resident of Ha Thetsane, whose body was retrieved from the Ha Seoli dam after eyewitnesses saw him walking into the water fully clothed.
Family spokesperson, Teboho Mafeka, said the family believes the act was deliberate, although they remain deeply puzzled by what led Mr Moeno to end his life.
“The morning the incident occurred, on Wednesday, he woke up as his usual self and showed no signs of distress. He asked his wife for M50 to fix a tyre puncture and then left home,” Mafeka said.
The family is uncertain whether Mr Moeno went to repair the tyre or drove directly to the dam. According to eyewitness accounts relayed to the family, he parked his vehicle dangerously close to the water’s edge, prompting men who were fishing nearby to warn him to move it to a safer distance.
“They told us he calmly complied. Before reversing the vehicle, however, he asked them where the deepest part of the dam was, and they pointed it out,” Mafeka said.
After parking safely, the men continued fishing. Moments later, one of them noticed a figure walking into the dam toward the deeper section. When they looked back at the vehicle and found it empty, they realised it was the same man.
“They ran after him, shouting for him to return to shore. But upon realising he had been spotted, he dived further into the deep water, seemingly determined to complete his mission.”
By the time the men managed to pull him out, he was unresponsive. Lithoteng Police were immediately called to the scene.
Mafeka described Mr Moeno as a quiet, reserved man who mostly kept to himself unless with close family or friends. He operated his business from home and was therefore usually around his family.
His wife, ’Maliau Moeno (53), described him as a devoted husband and father who valued order and neatness.
“He liked being smart at all times,” she said through tears.
“He always carried a handkerchief to wipe off any dirt. His shoes were always shining, and people often mistook him for a former police officer or soldier because of how well he carried himself. His presence commanded respect.”
She said after 25 years of marriage, four children and three grandchildren, she never imagined such a tragedy.
“This came out of nowhere. We had no arguments. The night before, we stayed up late chatting happily. Nothing prepared me for what was to come.”
The family has also condemned what it described as unfounded and hurtful speculation circulating on social media about the circumstances surrounding Mr Moeno’s death.
“There are claims that he took his life after finding his wife with a lover. These allegations are completely false,” Mafeka said.
“They are damaging to this family’s reputation. My sister and her husband were a respectable couple who spent most of their time together.”
He warned media houses, particularly online platforms, to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive matters.
“Twisting stories to gain followers only destroys trust between the media and the public,” he said.
Just two days after Mr Moeno’s death, the Sunday Express learned of another incident in which a man was pulled out lifeless from the Ha Nelese valley. Details surrounding that case remain unclear, but the incident has sent shockwaves through the community.
In the past week, this publication also reported on a homicide case in which a Ha Tsolo man, Ntlama Matsoso, allegedly shot and killed both himself and his wife under unclear circumstances. The couple was buried together on Valentine’s Day, 14 February.
In another recent incident, a Hlotse-based police officer sustained critical injuries after shooting himself in the head in an apparent suicide attempt. He is reportedly recovering at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital.
Speaking to the Sunday Express, psychologist, Lineo Chabeli, said global studies show men are more likely to die by suicide than women.
She attributed this trend to the heavy responsibilities placed on men in societies that continue to view them as providers and pillars of strength.
“Many men experience suicidal thoughts due to depression,” she said. “Alcohol and drug use often become coping mechanisms, which is why substance abuse is more prevalent among them.”
She added that societal and household pressures, particularly financial expectations, place immense strain on men who may feel unable to express vulnerability.
“When men are unable to meet financial demands but feel they cannot admit it, the pressure becomes overwhelming. In some cases, this leads them to extreme measures.”
Ms Chabeli called for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen mental health awareness, support systems, and early intervention efforts to curb the growing crisis.