The family of Pretoria fitness coach Lawrence Masinge says they are in the dark about the progress of the murder investigation. The 40-year-old father of two was shot dead while giving a virtual workout class from his home in Saulsville, Pretoria, this week.
All his clients, who were attending the class witnessed his murder. Gauteng police have since launched a manhunt for the killer.
Lawrence Masinge has been described by his family as a loving father to his two daughters, aged 14 and six. They say he was passionate about fitness and encouraged a healthy lifestyle. The family is struggling to accept that he was taken away in such a cruel manner. Lawrence’s brother Simon Masinge says he can’t accept that he is gone.
“We are not feeling well as a family. As his brother, I am not good. We can’t accept that he is gone. What makes us sad, those people who are handling our case, they don’t tell us how they are doing our work. They don’t come here and speak to us and say where this investigation is.”
Clinical psychologist Hameeda Bassa-Suleman says those who witnessed the gruesome killing of the Pretoria-based trainer this week, need counselling to deal with the trauma they have been exposed to. Bassa-Suleman says being witness to such a murder could have long-term implications.
“I think for all the people that witnessed the gruesome killing of the fitness trainer, they would all need to attend trauma debriefing where they are able to heal through what they have seen. If they don’t process the trauma that they witnessed, they could be vulnerable to receiving post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress syndrome which will impact their day-to-day functioning. When somebody witnesses something so violent and gruesome, it shocks our system and our neurological responses to the point where we don’t feel safe or can’t carry on with day-to-day living.”
2021 has been marred by turmoil in South Africa. The July unrest resulted in lives lost and livelihoods snatched away. South Africans are bombarded daily with news of wanton crime, like the kidnapping of the Moti brothers, and now the murder of a passionate fitness instructor. Bassa-Suleman says the lost sense of safety will force many to question their willingness to stay in South Africa.
“I think with the recent unrest in July and now the increased crime that we see, I think that is going to affect our sense of safety and security and it will have a dampener on our ability to enjoy the festive season that has been denied for so long. When we don’t feel safe and secure, we don’t feel like we have lived sustainably for long periods in a certain place. We worry and we look for the safety of our families. There have been kidnappings, murders, break-ins, it makes a lot of people think whether they should stay in the country and whether it will be better to live somewhere else.”
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the motive for the killing cannot be confirmed at this stage. He is appealing to anyone with information to call the nearest police station or crime stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be given anonymously via MySAPS App that can be downloaded from any smartphone.
We need to review our constitution. At the rate at which killings are happening we really need a death penalty ??. It’s so easy to get killed in SA because killers know even when they get caught they won’t serve a long prison sentence ??? #lawrencemasinge #DeKlerk https://t.co/ejWDro8uvw
— ??Cars & Kamza ? (@KE_KAMO2) November 12, 2021
Just saw the Lawrence Masinge video..We really are living in a crazy time..
— W0Lƒ ✗ GréY (@WoLf__grey) November 12, 2021
The horrifying murder of Lawrence Masinge is a reminder, again, of South Africa’s shocking, shocking murder rates. There’s a serious crime crisis in South Africa. Even by global standards the murder rates are terrifying. My uncle was also brutally murdered last March. Really sad.
— Phumlani M. Majozi (@PhumlaniMMajozi) November 12, 2021
????#LawrenceMasinge https://t.co/DlEqpoaNOM
— Palesa (@pbabe07) November 11, 2021
Heavy day. My heart goes out to the LM Workout family, and Lawrence Masinge’s family. I’m still struggling to come to terms with his tragic passing. The man was humble & respected his craft. Rest well coach???#riplawrencemasinge #LMWORKOUT #JusticeForLawrenceMasinge
— AmACap♑️ (@mosmooches) November 11, 2021
