Despite South Africa's successful transition to democracy, the nation grapples with a persistent struggle in managing conflicts effectively. Violence, once a haunting consequence of historical turmoil, persists as an unfortunate default in the country's response mechanisms. Whether at interpersonal or collective levels, physical violence has become a regrettable norm in various social contexts. Just last Friday, Police Minister Bheki Cele shared the latest quarterly crime stats covering July to September. According to the report, a staggering 6,945 lives were lost during this period. Disturbingly, among the victims, 881 were women, and 293 were children. The toll also included 35 police officers, both on and off duty, and 19 law enforcement officers affiliated with National, provincial, local government, and private security. Moreover Cele highlighted that the majority of these tragic incidents were attributed to causes such as arguments, road rage, provocation, vigilantism, or mob justice. To delve deeper into the issue, we want to explore the reasons behind the prevalence of domestic violence in South Africa, both within familiar relationships and those involving strangers. Researcher with the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation Gugulethu Resha joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.