{
  "id": 13045651,
  "title": "How to stop women killers: We must diagnose a broken system",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/how-to-stop-women-killers-we-must-diagnose-a-broken-system",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T06:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/opinion/how-to-stop-women-killers-we-must-diagnose-a-broken-system/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced additional measures aimed at curbing the tragic phenomenon of women being killed. These initiatives include the formation of additional task forces, the establishment of more registers, the creation of specialized courts, and the deployment of dedicated police units. However, these efforts may prove ineffective. Not due to a lack of government commitment, but because the government is addressing the consequences of a deeply flawed system – murder – without having the courage to engage in an open and honest national dialogue about the origins of the perpetrators. If our nation is genuinely committed to preventing femicide, a radically different conversation must commence. This conversation should encompass a wide range of experts, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, criminologists, detectives, prosecutors, correctional officers, religious leaders, and most importantly, individuals who have experienced toxic relationships – both men and women.\n\nCrucial questions must be posed. What kind of man is capable of killing a woman? This may seem like a simple inquiry, but it is not. In certain instances, the answer may point to psychopathy or clinical antisocial personality disorder. However, the vast majority of men who commit such heinous acts are not psychopaths. They are ordinary men. So, what transpires? Psychologists will explain that three factors converge to create this dangerous situation. First, a fragile masculine identity built upon control, rather than genuine character. Second, the inability to manage emotions – jealousy, humiliation, shame, and anger experienced as unbearable suffering. Third, a sense of entitlement – the belief that a woman's body, time, and loyalty are possessions that can be controlled and exploited.\n\nWhat drives a man to take another's life? Those who have interrogated these individuals will tell you that it is rarely a sudden, impulsive act. Instead, it is a prolonged process of rumination. He awakens each day, replaying instances of perceived disrespect over and over again. By midday, violence begins to appear as justice to him, not an unlawful act. He feels justified in his actions. This is precisely where we must initiate an honest conversation. South Africa has cultivated a highly transactional culture within intimate relationships, and we tend to dismiss its impact on violence. We must scrutinize the \"girlfriend allowance\" economy. We must address the \"a man must…\" mindset. A man is expected to pay. A man is expected to provide. A man is expected not to cry. In Soweto, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Gugulethu, Mlazi, a 24-year-old man is told that his worth is measured by his wallet. He borrows money to purchase hair, nails, data, and rent – in an attempt to maintain a relationship. Then, betrayal occurs. She cheats or she leaves for a man who can offer more. What is he expected to do? The law, morality, and humanity all advocate for walking away, healing, and seeking assistance. Yet, if we fail to address why abandoning this relationship proves impossible for him, women will continue to lose their lives. When a man is conditioned to believe that this relationship is the sole testament to his masculinity, the anguish stemming from infidelity or abandonment becomes existential rather than merely emotional. This does not justify murder; rather, it illuminates the pressure cooker in which we have all become entangled. To prevent future tragedies, we must be granted the freedom to examine relationship dynamics candidly without being labeled as victim-blamers. While a woman's infidelity or abandonment is never a valid reason to commit murder, it can undoubtedly inflict pain that, in a man lacking coping mechanisms, may escalate to deadly consequences. It is imperative that we possess the courage to confront these uncomfortable questions. If we shy away from them due to their discomfort, we will find ourselves once again addressing another presidential statement following the discovery of yet another woman's body in the countryside. The perpetrators must face the consequences of their actions, but society must confront its own flaws.",
  "summary": "We need the courage to ask what kind of men we are raising and what kind of relationships we are modelling.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Africa's femicide crisis stems from flawed societal system, not lack of government action",
    "Key factors: fragile masculine identity, emotional management issues, sense of entitlement"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}