Authorities in Western Equatoria State have arrested four police officers in connection with the death of a woman who was allegedly beaten while in custody, local officials said Wednesday.
The woman, identified as Loice Joice, died January 13 after being interrogated by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ibba County, according to community leaders and relatives.
Paramount Chief Marona Faustino Sako of Ibba County said Joice had been detained for six days over a family dispute involving a missing child. “She was brought out in very poor condition and died instantly after the torture,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
Sako said four officers — one from the regular police and three from the CID — were arrested and transferred to Yambio for prosecution. One was later released on bail, while the other three remain in Yambio Central Prison, he said.
Ibba County Commissioner Wilson Tetela said the case has been forwarded to Yambio High Court, with a hearing expected in early May. “The role of police is to investigate, not to harm,” Tetela said.
Emmanuel Malesh Angelo, a relative of the victim, said Joice was arrested after her brother’s child went missing. During questioning, she was severely beaten and later died from her injuries, he said.
The case has sparked public outrage and renewed concerns over police conduct in Western Equatoria State.