Mass killings: 'Survivors lives changed forever'

With the Eastern Cape rural communities of Lusikisiki and Qumbu reeling from the impact of mass killings by unknown gunmen still at large, leading psychologist Dr Keitumetse Mashego warned yesterday survivors “will never be the same.”

- Brian Sokutu

So deep-rooted is the trauma they have experienced four weeks ago, that their lives are set to change forever.

The tragedy could lead to severe psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, post trauma symptoms, intense emotions of fear, personality challenges, interpersonal relationship difficulties, survivors’ guilt and complicated grief, Mashego said.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola this week said there were possible leads in the mass murder of six community policing forum members at the Godini village of Qumbu, when a group of men opened fire.