An 18-year-old disabled man identified as Michael Akille was shot dead and his body thrown into Kineti River of Torit Town in Eastern Equatoria State on Saturday.
The criminal investigation department agents are reportedly investigating the incident.
The deceased was said to have met his fate on his way to the river for a bath. He was shot three times by a pistol.
The local civil defense said cases of bodies being dumped in River Kineti were common, with some being retrieved and buried before medical examination reports.
The Assistant Director for Safety and Disaster Management for Eastern Equatoria State, Lt Kennedy Khamis, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the incident happened in the morning hours.
Khamis said a bullet was found in the body of the deceased after being operated at the Torit State Hospital.
“He was shot using a pistol and a bullet was found in his body after operation, so it is now a police case. He is called Akille, aged 18 years old and his body was found in the morning. The CID are still investigating the matter to confirm to which unit of the forces the bullet belongs,” he explained.
Eastern Equatoria State Police spokesperson Maj Justine Kileopus Takuru confirmed the incident, saying forces have been deployed to investigate the matter.
He said the deceased sustained gunshot wounds on his left hand side and testicles, with a piece of bullet found on his underwear during the postmortem.
Torit Municipal Council Mayor Mustafa Albino Zachariah appealed to the residents living near the crime scene to cooperate with the security organs in reporting suspects.
He cautioned the residents against allowing their disabled persons to venture into the water points, saying it exposed them to dangers.
“This boy was going to take a bath at around 9am. Residents should take precautions and anyone suspected to have epilepsy should not be allowed to go to the river. Those living near the crime scene should cooperate, and hopefully we shall apprehend the culprits,” he said.
Eastern Equatoria State activist for persons with disability Laduma Patricia condemned the incident, saying it was against the rights of persons with disability.
She urged the government to investigate and render protection to persons with disability.
“All the security agents who were on duty with guns should be investigated and if found culpable should face the law. We have the right to live and to life and we urge the government help us in the situation,” she said.