Silenced in a Room Meant for Shelter: The Story of Suzana Lussaty

 The Story of Suzana Lussaty

Violence against women does not always happen in the shadows of war or poverty alone. Sometimes, it happens behind closed doors — in places meant to offer safety, rest, and dignity.

On 2 September 2025, a woman was found dead in a guesthouse room in Panguila Municipality, Bengo Province, Angola. She was approximately 35 years old, completely undressed, and lying lifeless on the bed. What should have been a temporary place of shelter became the scene of a brutal crime.

Preliminary information released by the National Police indicated strong signs of premeditated murder. The victim was found with a plastic cable tie tightly fastened around her neck, suggesting she had been strangled. The discovery was made by a female employee of the guesthouse, who immediately alerted management, leading to a formal report to the authorities.

At first, the woman’s identity remained unknown. She had no personal documents or mobile phone, making it impossible to immediately contact her family. For hours, she existed only as an unnamed body — another woman reduced to silence.

Days later, the truth emerged.

The victim was Suzana Lussaty, 35 years old, a married woman, a trader who sold shoes and clothes, and a citizen with dreams, responsibilities, and loved ones waiting for her return.

A Crime of Power and Control

The perpetrator, Maximiano João, a 64-year-old retired journalist and writer, was arrested on 4 September by the National Police. He confessed to the murder, claiming the act was motivated by a financial dispute involving 7 million kwanzas.

According to his own statement, after a sexual encounter, Suzana allegedly refused to repay the money, which he said enraged him. “I did not control my emotions,” he told authorities.

However, Suzana’s family strongly denied any romantic or sexual relationship between her and the accused. Her elder sister stated that Suzana was married, worked honestly, and never had any involvement with the man now in custody.

According to the family, the accused had claimed he was selling a house and asked Suzana to bring part of the agreed amount. She left for the meeting — and never returned.

What followed was not a dispute, but a femicide — the killing of a woman rooted in power imbalance, manipulation, and entitlement.

SDGs at Stake: What Suzana’s Story Reveals

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Suzana’s murder is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of gender-based violence:

• Women are often targeted because they are perceived as vulnerable or exploitable.

• Financial dependency and informal economic activity increase women’s exposure to violence.

• The crime reflects a culture where women’s lives are devalued and male violence is justified by “emotion” or “anger.”

• Femicide remains a serious and under-addressed human rights violation.

Achieving SDG 5 means protecting women not only in homes and workplaces, but also in public and private spaces, including informal economic and social interactions.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Education plays a critical role in preventing violence like this:

• Limited access to education pushes many women into informal trading, increasing exposure to unsafe situations.

• Education empowers women with legal awareness, financial literacy, and safer economic choices.

• Education for men and boys is equally essential — particularly on gender equality, consent, conflict resolution, and respect for women’s autonomy.

Without inclusive and transformative education, cycles of violence and exploitation persist.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Suzana’s case also highlights the importance of justice systems:

• Timely police investigation and arrest were crucial, but justice must go beyond detention.

• Survivors’ families need transparency, accountability, and protection from intimidation.

• Institutions must ensure that perpetrators — regardless of status, profession, or age — are held fully accountable.

Justice is not only about punishment; it is about restoring trust and affirming that women’s lives matter.

A Call for Justice and Prevention

Suzana Lussaty was not just a victim.

She was a wife, a worker, a sister, and a woman with dignity.

Her death exposes the intersection of gender inequality, economic vulnerability, lack of education, and abuse of power. It demands stronger action — not only from police and courts, but from society as a whole.

To honour Suzana and countless other women:

• Gender-based violence must be treated as a national emergency.

• Girls’ and women’s education must be expanded and protected.

• Informal workers must be safeguarded, not exposed.

• Men must be held accountable — not excused.

Justice for Suzana is justice for all women.

Reference

Gingonacomunica. (2025, September 4). Encontrado o suspeito do crime de assassinato de Suzana Lussaty de 35 anos [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Gingonacomunica/videos/%EF%B8%8Fencontrado-o-suspeito-do-crime-de-assassinato-de-suzana-lussaty-de-35-anos-enco/1834821874585790/