Johannesburg - “It was like a movie, people were just standing there watching. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
On Sunday, a 39-year-old man apparently hanged himself from a DStv satellite dish at a block of flats in Hillbrow.
Police spokesman Sergeant Mduduzi Zondo said the SAPS responded to a call at Balnagask flats around 8.30am on Sunday
“He lived on the third floor but hanged himself from a satellite dish on the 13th floor. It’s unclear how he gained entry into the apartment,” Zondo said.
“No one knows exactly what transpired, not even those on the 13th floor, but an inquest docket has been opened. We are investigating the matter,” he said.
A resident of the building said the man’s wife had left him last month.
“I used to see him coming in and going to work during the day. He lived with his wife, who recently left him,” he said.
“The emergency services used the balcony next to where he was hanging to take him down.”
An onlooker said he was driving on a nearby bridge when he saw the man hanging.
“It was very public. People were just stopping and looking in shock.”
Another onlooker said this was the third suicide in Hillbrow in the past month.
“We’ve had three suicides in this area recently. There were two others at buildings up the road.
“It’s sad that people feel they don’t have any other option. If they need help, they can ask, people will help them. This can’t be the answer,” she said.
* The South African Depression and Anxiety Group suicide hotline is operational 24 hours a day: 0800 567 567.
The Star