Two prominent businessmen in Addis Abeba have committed suicide in just a week; Yohannes Getaneh, and Asefaw Yirga, major shareholders of Getaneh Trading and Ase Marble, respectively, both killed themselves last week for reasons unknown up to late Friday afternoon , when Fortune went to press. Yohannes shot himself last Thursday, December 18, 2008 at around noon in his own house. His wife, who went home for lunch, was very shocked when she saw her husband struggling between life and death immediately after the incident. Though he was admitted to Tezena'a hospital very soon after, he passed away shortly before being treated by the medical team of the hospital.

Asefaw, on the other hand, committed suicide by hanging himself yesterday, December 20, 2008, in the morning. The death of the two prominent businesspersons is under investigation by the Addis Abeba Police Commission.

Getaneh Trading Plc imports low-priced clothes to cater for the middle and lower income earners. The company's shops are scattered across the city.

Prior to establishing Getaneh Trading, Yohannes was known to the Ethiopian business community for distributing raw materials to weavers in Addis Abeba and the rest of the country. Later on, he started distributing blankets and other textile products manufactured by state-owned and private factories.

"Yohannes was a generous person," a businessman who knew him for over a decade told Fortune. His candid interest to grow with others in the same sector is what distinguishes him, he said.

Getaneh is survived by three children.

Asefaw Yirga, who is a founder and major shareholder of Ase Marble has two sites in the Benishangul Gumuz Regional State and around Dukem. His death yesterday, was unexpected news to the family, friends and business partners.

"He was very polite and socially active," a businesswoman in the coffee export industry told Fortune. He and his family are known for their hard work, she said.

Wudineh Zenebe, Special to Fortune, contributed to this story.