SA 'a wounded society' - expert

CRIME SCENE: POSTS CAUSE 'PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS'

- Brian Sokutu

Vicarious trigger and secondary traumatization reactions are some of the ripple effects suffered by millions of people throughout the world when seeing violent photographs or videos posted on social media, experts said yesterday. This is against the background of this week's brutal killing in KwaZulu-Natal when Sibusiso Lawrence Ntaka apparently stabbed his ex-girlfriend Nontobeko Cele, 25, and posted images of her body on Facebook.

Ntaka allegedly killed Cele on Tuesday and posted his confession on social media before later being found hanging from a tree on Wednesday morning, not far from where Cele was found dead.

In the video, Ntaka showed a graphic scene of Cele's murder, revealing her bloodstained body, claiming he was "betrayed" in their turbulent relationship.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Cele's body was found on Wednesday morning.

Psychologist Dr Keitumetse Mashego and psychiatrist Dr Ryan Fuller said violent images posted on social media cause powerful psychological reactions.