{
  "id": 8197775,
  "title": "A VIEW OF THE WEEK: How long must we be patient?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/a-view-of-the-week-how-long-must-we-be-patient",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T07:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/opinion/a-view-of-the-week-how-long-must-we-be-patient/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When will South Africans finally tire of enduring the abuse of their patience? This question echoes through the nation as they grapple with a series of brutal murders orchestrated by a relentless serial killer. Premier Panayaza Lesufi pleaded for the country's patience, but the frustration is growing. Residents are tired of the \"bread and circuses\" narrative, fed to them by authorities, and warn that the violence in their communities is becoming an all-too-frequent reality. The declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster nearly a year ago has yet to yield the promised resources, leaving the nation with broken promises and token gestures instead of tangible solutions. While R1.6 billion was initially allocated for the response, its cost in terms of lost productivity, healthcare burdens, and absenteeism is estimated to be over R42.4 billion per year. The issue transcends social norms, impacting the nation's economy. The government's National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Board, formed just a month ago, has struggled to make headway due to delays, leaving citizens questioning when their cries for protection will be heeded. The Kempton Park serial killer has injected fear into the hearts of South Africans, as women and children continue to be targets. The killer's methodical approach, operating in urban and suburban areas, has left communities anxious and vulnerable. Police incompetence, a long-standing issue, has further eroded trust in authorities to protect the public. As the National Shelter Movement of South Africa rightly points out, security cannot be achieved by telling women to shrink, be more cautious, or avoid visibility. In a nation where murder is a daily occurrence, the question remains: how long must the people continue to be patient with the police, other task teams, and those in power who seem content to stand idly by while their safety is compromised?",
  "summary": "This is no Hollywood movie or glamourised documentary series, this is a frightening and uncertain reality for South Africans.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Africans frustrated with police handling of serial killings",
    "Gender-based violence declared national disaster without promised resources",
    "Kempton Park serial killer targets women and children, eroding trust"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Growing frustration with unfulfilled promises and inadequate responses to violence marks a turning point in South Africans' patience with authorities, threatening to erode trust in institutions and their ability to ensure public safety.",
  "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."
}