society
Blood on Our Hands: The Lusikisiki Tragedy and the Crisis of Male Violence in South Africa’s South
Blood on Our Hands: The Lusikisiki Tragedy and the Crisis of Male Violence in South Africa’s South.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
A dark and agonizing cloud has once again descended upon Lusikisiki, a quiet rural town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This time, it is not crime as usual, nor one of the countless political betrayals that plague our people, but something far worse. A man is on the run after allegedly SHOOTING and KILLING his PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND and WIFE in cold blood. Yes, you read that right. A woman carrying life inside her (an unborn child) was gunned down by the very person who once claimed to LOVE her. Her co-victim? His own LEGAL wife. This is not just a tragedy; it is an abomination, an unspeakable act of cowardice and brutality that reflects the deeply rooted crisis of GENDER-BASED violence and toxic masculinity in South Africa.
The Lusikisiki shooting is not an isolated incident. It is another gruesome entry in South Africa’s growing list of femicides. It raises the same haunting question we have asked countless times: WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR MEN?
The Southern Curse: A Crisis Brewing in Silence. The southern regions of South Africa (especially the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Western Cape) have become breeding grounds for DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MURDER-SUICIDES and UNRESOLVED GENDER TENSIONS. What we witnessed in Lusikisiki is not new. It is a brutal cycle of pain that repeats itself, only with different names, different dates, but the same outcomes: BLOOD, GRIEF, TRAUMA and IRREVERSIBLE LOSS. This very year, not far from Lusikisiki, another man in Mthatha SHOT and KILLED his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself, leaving behind their 4-year-old daughter. Last year in Butterworth, a young woman was STABBED to DEATH in front of her mother by her ex-boyfriend. How many more sisters, daughters, wives and pregnant lovers must die before we say “ENOUGH”?
We must address the harsh reality: some men in our communities are not LOVERS or PROTECTORS; they are PREDATORS in plain clothes. And we, as a SOCIETY, are enabling them with our SILENCE.
Violence MASQUERADING as MASCULINITY. Let us get one thing straight; VIOLENCE is not STRENGTH. Pulling a trigger on a defenseless woman is not a SIGN of MANHOOD; it is the most disgraceful form of WEAKNESS. True strength lies in RESTRAINT, in WALKING AWAY, in PROTECTING rather than DESTROYING. Unfortunately, many young men in the Southern region are growing up without the emotional education necessary to differentiate between DOMINANCE and DIGNITY, between RESPECT and POSSESSION.
Too many boys are being raised to believe that women are OBJECTS to be OWNED and when they assert their independence, these boys (now men) respond with violence. That is not LOVE. That is SICKNESS. That is ENTITLEMENT. That mindset must be UNLEARNED.
A Pregnant Woman, A Mother, A Life Snuffed Out. Imagine the FEAR that gripped that young pregnant woman in her final moments. Imagine the BETRAYAL she must have felt. To carry someone’s child and be repaid with death. That is not just murder; it is an assault on humanity, a crime against the unborn and a blasphemy against the sanctity of life.
And the wife? She too bore the burden of COMMITMENT, TRUST and PARTNERSHIP, only to be met with CRUELTY. Two women. One gun. One man. The lives of families, friends and entire communities shattered forever. We must never NORMALIZE this MADNESS.
The Failure of Society and Justice. Let us not pretend that these incidents happen in a vacuum. Our JUSTICE system is slow. Our police often fail to act on protection orders. Our communities gossip, but they rarely intervene. Religious and traditional leaders, who ought to speak boldly against domestic abuse, often stay silent, choosing RESPECTABILITY over RESPONSIBILITY. When cases like this happen, we act surprised; but should we be? We ignored the WARNING SIGNS. We saw the VERBAL ABUSE. We saw the CONTROL. We heard the SCREAMS at night. We saw the BRUISES hidden behind SMILES and FOUNDATION, but we said “It is none of our business.” Well, now it is everyone’s business. Now, two women are dead. A child is dead before it could live. And the man is still on the run.
To the Youth: Violence is Never the Answer. To the young men growing up in the dusty streets of Lusikisiki, Flagstaff, Butterworth, Mthatha and beyond, listen carefully: VIOLENCE will never earn you RESPECT. You cannot control a woman by killing her. You cannot earn love with fists or bullets. If you are hurting, SEEK HELP. If you are angry, WALK AWAY. If she says no, ACCEPT IT. There are organizations. There are friends. There is therapy. There are police stations, churches and youth centres. Murder? That is the end of your story and hers. If you want to be a real man, PROTECT. DO not DESTROY.
Advice to the Community: Silence is Complicity. Communities in the South must wake up. It is time to say NO to the CULTURE of SILENCE. DO not turn the other way when a woman CRIES for HELP. DO not LAUGH off SIGNS of ABUSE. Do not SHAME VICTIMS. Above all, do not make EXCUSES for ABUSIVE men.
“O monna ke monna ka basadi” ~ A man is a man through women.
Let us begin to redefine MASCULINITY not as DOMINANCE, but as DIGNITY. Not as CONTROL, but as COMPASSION. Not as FEAR, but as RESPONSIBILITY.
Government’s Role: Words Are Not ENOUGH. Yes, President Ramaphosa has spoken against gender-based violence. Yes, there are legal frameworks and action plans. Yet how many more must die before those words translate to REAL ACTION? We need quicker responses, better protection systems, harsher punishments and a nationwide campaign targeting men, particularly in rural regions, with re-education programs and emotional support. This cannot be fixed by hashtags or photo-ops. It requires long-term investment in justice, education and community healing.
In the words of renowned African legal scholar Prof. PLO Lumumba: “The tragedy of Africa is not that our men are poor, but that their minds are imprisoned by archaic beliefs.”
It is time to free our men from the MENTAL CHAINS of CHAUVINISM and VIOLENCE; because until that happens, Lusikisiki will not be the last tragedy. It will be one of many.
Final Thoughts: From Tears to Change. We are weeping again. Another FUNERAL. Another SET of GRAVES. Another HEADLINE that will FADE in a week.
Let us do something different this TIME. Let us channel our grief into a MOVEMENT. Let us hold each other ACCOUNTABLE. Let us teach our sons DIFFERENTLY. Let us raise our voices for our DAUGHTERS.
Let Lusikisiki not just be the site of death, but the BEGINNING of CHANGE, because if we don’t stop this now, we will all have blood on our hands.
George Omagbemi Sylvester writes from South Africa and is a human rights advocate and journalist. This article was published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
society
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a statement released to the press, the Initiative conveyed warm wishes for the President’s personal well-being and for his continued leadership of the nation. The statement, signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, expressed hope that the coming year would bring the President “renewed strength and more wisdom in guiding the nation.”
The statement further noted that the Grand Patron of the Initiative, His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, joined in celebrating the milestone. It added, “Wishing Your Excellency continued good health, vitality, and determination as you lead the country towards greater unity and progress.”
The message underscores support for President Tinubu’s administration and its national objectives, marking the birthday as an occasion to reaffirm commitment to the nation’s unity and advancement under his stewardship.
society
Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu …Calls for Moral Renewal
*Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu
…Calls for Moral Renewal
Lagos – Dominion City has announced plans to host its annual Global Camp Meeting alongside a special “2 Nights of Glory” gathering in April 2026, with events scheduled to be held simultaneously in Lagos and Enugu.
The week-long programme is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants onsite and millions of virtual attendees from across the globe.
The Global Camp Meeting will run from Wednesday, April 1 to Monday, April 6, featuring daily sessions at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The “2 Nights of Glory” is slated for Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at the Golden Heart Place, Km 22 Lekki-Epe Expressway, beside Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos.
Organised by Dominion City, a global church focused on raising transformational leaders, the conference will centre on revival, spiritual renewal, and practical teachings. This year’s theme, “Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers,” underscores a call to return to foundational values and principles.
Speaking ahead of the event, Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe, emphasised the need for moral reawakening as a pathway to national transformation. He described the Church as “the pillar and foundation of truth,” noting that the conference aims to confront moral decline and restore core values within society.
“We are going back to foundational truths that established the Church. These truths will help repair societal damage and reposition the Church as a source of hope and light,” Onaga said.
Also speaking, Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor of Dominion City Headquarters, highlighted the Church’s role in addressing ethical and cultural challenges, particularly among young people. He added that the programme would go beyond spiritual teachings to include sessions on artificial intelligence, innovation, business, media, arts, and career development.
“We are equipping people not just spiritually, but with relevant 21st-century skills to thrive in today’s world,” Olapade noted.
The conference will feature teachings and ministrations from a lineup of international ministers, including Dr. David Ogbueli, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Andres Bisonni, Pastor Randy Mitchell, Apostle Ikechukwu Peter Nnajiofor, Dr. Ferdinand Nweke, Apostle Ben Hanyani Ndobe, Evangelist Dan Scott, and Dr. Chiefo Ejiofobiri.
Music ministrations will also be led by notable gospel artists such as Grace Idowu, Rhema Onuoha, Once More Six, David Nkennor, Anthony Kani, and GUC.
Organisers disclosed that over 30,000 participants are expected to attend in person, with free transportation provided from designated locations across Lagos to ease access. In addition, free medical services will be offered daily, building on previous outreaches that benefited over 1,700 people.
To ensure safety and order, more than 200 traffic marshals will be deployed in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Beyond its spiritual impact, organisers project that the event will stimulate local economic activity across hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.
The Global Camp Meeting remains a key platform for spiritual impartation, leadership development, and societal transformation, aligning with Dominion City’s mission to equip believers to influence their communities positively.
Participation is open to the public, with registration available online for both physical and virtual attendance. //END.//
*PHOTO CAPTIONS:*
L-R: Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ); Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, DCHQ, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held the weekend of 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
L-R: Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, DCHQ; and Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held over the weekend in 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
society
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Elebo II, has extended warm felicitations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a goodwill message issued from his palace, the revered monarch described President Tinubu as a visionary statesman, a courageous reformer, and an indefatigable democrat whose lifelong commitment to nation-building continues to shape Nigeria’s progress.
Oba Babatunde Saliu praised the President’s unwavering dedication to public service, noting that his leadership has ushered in a new phase of economic reform, infrastructural renewal, and institutional strengthening across the country.
According to the monarch, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda has begun yielding tangible relief and renewed confidence among citizens, reflecting his determination to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional resilience, strategic foresight, and a deep love for Nigeria. His administration’s bold initiatives are laying the foundation for long-term national transformation. At 74, he remains steadfast in his resolve to build a stronger, more united, and economically vibrant nation,” the monarch stated.
Oba Babatunde further commended the President’s legacy of leadership, describing him as a bridge-builder, a mentor to many leaders, and a symbol of democratic stability. He acknowledged the President’s decades of sacrifice and contribution to the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
On behalf of the Oworosoki Kingdom, the royal father prayed for divine wisdom, sound health, and renewed strength for the President to successfully complete the noble reforms and developmental strides he has embarked upon for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“As Your Excellency marks 74 remarkable years, we pray that Almighty God grants you long life, continued wisdom, and the fortitude to steer our great nation toward greater heights. May your days be filled with strength and grace as you continue to serve Nigeria with distinction,” Oba Babatunde Saliu added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clocks 74 as a leader whose enduring influence, bold reforms, and steadfast patriotism remain central to Nigeria’s ongoing journey of national renewal.
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