Elderly woman saved after suicide attempt in Neno

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

An 81-year-old woman, Evelesi Chilumpha has survived a suicide attempt in Neno District.

The incident took place on 11 December 2025 at the Shire River close to the Zalewa roadblock.

According to Neno Police publicist Rebecca Msoliza, Chilumpha had been showing signs of distress before the incident.

Msoliza said that she lived with her granddaughter who is responsible for seven children and had been expressing frustration over alleged theft by the grandchildren.

“These ongoing issues are believed to have contributed to her decision to attempt taking her own life.

“On the day of the incident, she reportedly walked to the Shire River with the intention of ending her life,” Msoliza.

Msoliza added that she then threw herself into the water but was spotted by a businessman who was passing by.

The man acted quickly and managed to rescue her, preventing a tragic outcome.

Chilumpha, originally from Liwonde Village under Traditional Authority Makata in Blantyre has given counseling as effort to find her relatives is underway.