AS WE write this editorial comment, our hearts are heavy with outrage and sorrow. The story of the 16-year-old girl seeking justice two years after she was brutally gang-raped and physically assaulted by six men, leaving her disabled for life, is heart-wrenching.
The details of the case are harrowing. The young girl, barely out of childhood, was subjected to unimaginable violence, leaving her with injuries that will confine her to a life of dependence on catheters and colostomy bags. The trauma she has endured will stay with her forever.
We can only imagine the pain she went through at the hands of these beasts in human form, let alone the emotional scars she’ll have to carry throughout her life.
It’s sad that two years later, the perpetrators of this heinous crime are still on the loose. This cannot be allowed.
They must be brought to book, and punished with the full force of the law. As a society, we owe this young girl justice.
But beyond the legalities, we must confront the culture of violence that is fast becoming entrenched in our society.
As we express our outrage and condemnation of this crime, we must offer our support and solidarity to the young girl and her family. We must ensure that she receives the medical care and support she needs to live a dignified life; despite the trauma she has endured.
This gruesome case is not just an isolated incident, but a symptom of a deeper problem.
In 2021, we had the case of the abduction of 13 girls by two young men, who, thankfully, have been put away for life.
We have continued to have young girls defiled by those from whom they seek protection.
As a society, more so one that is anchored on Christian principles, we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable among us.
The fact that six men could brutally assault a young girl, leaving her with life-altering injuries, speaks to a profound sickness at the heart of our society.
We need to confront the darkness within ourselves and our society. We need to recognise that the perpetrators of this crime are not just six individuals, but a product of a society that has failed to value and respect the dignity of every human being.
The belief that this attack could have been a ritual attack cannot be ruled out.
We live in a world where the pursuit of wealth and success has become an all-consuming obsession. While hard work and determination are time-tested virtues, a growing trend among young men and women is seeking short-cuts to riches through charms and evil rituals. This disturbing phenomenon has led to a surge in brutal attacks on innocent souls, leaving devastation and heartbreak in its wake.
In the recent past, we have seen cases of young people undergoing rituals in order to have dominance over their peers.
We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this growing trend. Not only is this approach morally reprehensible, but it also perpetuates a culture of laziness, entitlement, and disregard for human life.
We urge young people to reject this false narrative and, instead, embrace the values of hard work, determination, and perseverance. True success and wealth are built on the foundation of integrity and hardwork. There are no shortcuts to achieving greatness, and any promise of quick riches and fame is a lie.
To the perpetrators of these brutal attacks, we say that justice will be served. Your actions will not go unpunished, and you will be held accountable for the harm and suffering you have caused.
We are consoled in the fact that police have promised to revisit the case of the now 16-year-old girl, which was growing cold. We pray that this poor child will receive justice and find some form of closure. As long as her attackers remain on the loose, this young girl and her poor mother will continue to live in fear. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Finally, to our society, we say that it’s time for us to take a collective stand against this growing trend of violence and brutality. We must create a culture that protects the weakest members of our society while teaching our young people the importance of honesty and hard work.
