One person was killed and two others injured during a fight between prospective in-laws in Haforiere village of Hiyala Payam in Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State on Wednesday night.
Galileo Ohide, the paramount chief of Hiyala Payam told Radio Tamazuj Thursday morning that the deceased, Olwaha, 20, was shot by his prospective brother-in-law, Omuno after they developed a tiff during a dance.
In Otuho tradition, a potential son-in-law or someone wooing a lady is at times beaten until he submits in respect to his intended bride’s family.
According to Chief Ohide, the fight broke out when the in-law refused to show respect to the family of his fiancé.
“An incident happened in Haforiere village on Wednesday night during a dance when a man who had taken a girl was accosted by her brothers. The man also decided to fight them, picked up a gun, and shot one of his fiancé’s brothers dead and wounded another,” he said. “The one who was killed is called Olwaha, 20, and the killer is Omuno. The killer ran away and we are still looking for him.”
“In my village of Hiyala Payam, there are a lot of problems,” the chief lamented.
Torit County Commissioner Jacob Atari Albano confirmed the incident and said he was headed to the scene with security forces to investigate the matter.
“The incident occurred yesterday (Wednesday) when in-laws fought. The brothers of the girl chased her boyfriend and when they reached a place called Haworu, the man got a gun and started shooting at his pursuers,” he said. “One person was killed and two injured. At the moment there is tension and we are now trying to intervene.”
“The people of Fwara and Haworu have always been in conflict but we are trying to resolve it,” Commissioner Atari added.