A nation living in fear

Social networks are buzzing while families are devastated as the nation grapples with the escalating number of so-called ‘Passion Killings’.

Yet another innocent and young life has been lost continuing the spate of gruesome killings that have sent shockwaves through the country. In the past weeks, young women in the North, including a school-girl, fell victim to these heinous acts. The brutal killing of Selma Eita towards the end of June had the Okahao community reeling in shock.

The alleged perpetrator, believed to be a jilted lover of Eita, took his own life after committing the heinous act. This horrible incident was followed by yet another case which allegedly had a love angle to it.

In this particular case, an 18-year-old from Oshikuku was murdered by her security guard boyfriend. Shockingly the incessant killing spree continued at the beginning of this week when a man from the North is said to have confessed to slitting his partner’s throat.

And in Katima Mulilo, a police detective has been charged with the murder of a Zambian national after he reportedly sjamboked him to death when he found out that he was having an affair with his wife.

And again and again, we continue to ask ourselves, what are the possible justifications for such actions and why are young women most of the victims?

Let's face it; passion killings are now a societal problem. And one wonders whatever happened to traditional norms of listening to and respecting each other. Women should not be terrorised by others about when to love and how and when to stop loving.

But stories of jilted lovers are not the only ones making headlines.

Suicides are on the increase too, while the Omaheke Region was shocked by another unimaginable occurrence last weekend at Leonardville where it is alleged that a mother is in police custody for killing her four-month-old baby with battery acid.

Oh no! That is a true horror story!

The mother told the police that the father was not looking after the child.

So what wrongs did a four-year-old month baby commit to suffer such inhumane and sadistic punishment?

To us, this shows how sick we have become as a nation when hardly a day passes without reading articles about such horrific killings.

If this trend continues, we surely are a long way from becoming a responsible nation.
Until then, our people will continue to live in fear and loathing.

May the Lord save us!