“Lusikisiki Horror: Pregnant Girlfriend, Wife Killed — Then Gunman Takes His Own Life”
It started as a desperate break-up and ended in unimaginable tragedy—shattering lives and leaving a rural community in shock. In Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, a 42-year-old man shot his pregnant girlfriend and then his wife, before turning the gun on himself. What began with heartbreak has revealed deeper, painful truths about violence, desperation, and systemic failure in South Africa.
A Night That Broke a Community
The tragedy began when the man’s 22-year-old girlfriend, Dolly Voxeka, told him she wanted to end their relationship. She was already a mother of two and expecting a third child. Her distraught mother shared with Newzroom Afrika that the man “said she couldn’t leave him because he was already unhappy at home because of their affair... then threatened to kill her.”
Frantically seeking safety, Dolly fled to a local tavern—but he pursued her. Patrons saw him brandish a gun and shoot her. She did not survive.
Later, the man drove to Unity Park village, where his wife lay sleeping in bed beside their grandchildren. She was shot down silently in what witnesses later described as a profound act of betrayal and violence.
Police, led by Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, launched a large-scale manhunt. The suspect fled using the family vehicle; it was later abandoned. In the early hours near Gqathula locality, about 10 km outside Lusikisiki, community members discovered his body in an open field—with a 9 mm pistol beside him. Early evidence pointed to suicide. The police opened an inquest to investigate further.
On social media, his daughter Naledi Madikizela posted in anguish:
“A father is supposed to protect his home, his children and his wife, but you FAILED US. You did the opposite.”
Dolly’s community described her as vibrant and deeply caring. Her mother is left bereft—not only grieving a daughter, but grieving for a future with grandchildren who will grow up without their mother.
This tragedy isn’t an isolated event. It highlights a national crisis.
South Africa’s Persistent Gender-Based Violence Crisis
Researchers warn that GBV is entrenched deeply in South African society. The 2022 National Gender-Based Violence Study by HSRC reports that nearly one in three women aged 18 and older have experienced physical violence during their lifetime.(HSRC, The Star) According to Africa Check, 22.4% of ever-partnered women reported physical violence by a partner—translating to over 3.2 million women.(Africa Check)
Yet, despite state data suggesting a decline in femicide, non-profit findings and experts like Prof. C Davis note that GBV remains pervasive, often under-reported due to fear or lack of trust.(tears.co.za)
Economically, KPMG estimates that GBV costs South Africa between R28.4–R42.4 billion annually, or roughly 0.9–1.3% of GDP.(Africa Health Organisation)
The underlying causes are complex: patriarchal norms, untreated trauma, weak enforcement, and access to guns all fuel this crisis.(The New Yorker, endgbv.africa)
Echoes of Past Tragedies
Karabo Mokoena (2017)
Karabo was a part-time business student murdered by her boyfriend in a case that shook Johannesburg. Her remains were found burned in a shallow grave. Her killer, Sandile Mantsoe, was convicted and sentenced to 32 years in prison.(Wikipedia)
Uyinene Mrwetyana (2019)
Uyinene was raped and murdered in a post office in Cape Town. Her death sparked massive protests and the #AmINext campaign, drawing national attention to the dangers women face daily.(Wikipedia, endgbv.africa)
“Warrior Woman” (2025)
A mother in the Eastern Cape who killed her daughter’s rapist was referred to as a hero by many. The NPA withdrew charges, and her release prompted a national discussion on GBV, justice, and parental protection instincts.(The Sun)
Legal and Policy Landscape: Progress Amidst Challenges
South Africa’s Domestic Violence Act of 1998 provides critical legal footing for protection orders and survivor rights.(Baker McKenzie Resource Hub) The 2024 National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act established a multi-stakeholder statutory body to guide national GBV policy and response.(SONA 2025)
The GBV Index, developed with UK support, is a new tool intended to monitor progress in addressing GBV both in South Africa and the region.(cge.org.za)
The current National Strategic Plan on GBVF (2020–2030) provides a multi-sectoral framework, yet implementation remains slow and uneven.(endgbv.africa, open.uct.ac.za)
Other legal reforms include expanded interpretations of controlling behavior, inclusion of non-binary protection, and online harm protections. The SAPS also established specialised units and Thuthuzela Care Centres for GBV survivors.(ahkprevention.org)
Case law, such as the S v P ruling, highlights systemic gaps—like misuse of protective laws to silence victims. Experts urge courts to adopt feminist, trauma-informed approaches.(Family Laws)
What Can Be Done? Prevention & Intervention
Early Warning & Community Support
-
Promote anonymous reporting tools.
-
Community leaders and tavern owners can serve as first responders.
Mental Health Interventions
-
Deploy social workers and trauma counsellors in rural areas.
-
After tragedies like Lusikisiki, counselling for grandchildren and families is vital.
Firearm Control
-
Enforce firearm surrender when domestic violence orders are active.
-
Research cites intimate partner murders often involve legally owned guns.(The New Yorker)
Education & Cultural Shifts
-
Integrate GBV awareness into school curricula.
-
Launch campaigns targeting toxic masculinity and survivor empathy.
Role of NGOs
-
Organisations like POWA offer legal aid and counselling.
-
Support for protection orders and navigating the justice system is crucial.
Justice System Reform
-
Train law enforcement and judges to better understand and respond to GBV.
-
Reduce delays in protection orders and prosecution.
Check related articles:
-
Read also: “Dead Baby” Funeral Shock: Man Nearly Buried a Doll—Here’s What We Can Learn
Read also:Trans Prisoners’ Rights Are Still Paper Promises: NM’s Court Fight for Hormones
- Do you think South Africa’s current GBV response is sufficient?YesNoUnsure
(Encourage comments with: “Please explain your answer below—we want to hear your thoughts.”)
7. Open Graph Meta Tag for Sharing
<meta property="og:title" content="Lusikisiki Horror: Pregnant Girlfriend, Wife Killed — Then Gunman Takes His Own Life" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Explore the shocking double murder-suicide in Lusikisiki, understand South Africa’s GBV crisis, find prevention insights, and access survivor resources." />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://dailysouthafricanpulse.blogspot.com/2025/08/lusikisiki-gbv-pillar-post.html" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
0 Comments