Cops in South Sudan’s Yei River State are investigating the killing of an unidentified young woman found floating over the weekend in the Yei River.

The incident took place days after consultations on the national dialogue concluded in the area.

A police officer, who preferred anonymity, told Radio Tamazuj that the dead woman was discovered in the river and that they brought the body ashore for further investigation.

He further said the body of the unidentified woman was found raped, burnt and later thrown into the river with the throat slit.

“It was something bad but police officers are investigating the circumstance which led to the murder of this young lady,” he said.

Women and human rights groups in Yei town condemned the incident in the strongest terms possible, calling on the state government to arrest the perpetrators and also ensure full protection of civilians in the state.

“The people of Yei need peace, protection and stable security. We don’t expect such inhuman actions against civilians cropping up again in Yei town. Let the outcome of the grass root consultations on the national dialogue bring peace to Yei not killings anymore, we are tired of human rights abuse,” a rights body in Yei said in a statement.

Yei officials could not immediately be reached for comment.