A Juba High Court on Tuesday ordered South Supreme Airline to pay $175,000 as compensation to each of the two pilots who perished in a plane crash in Pieri, Jonglei State.
In March 2021, a commercial plane crash registered as HK-4274 belonging to South Sudan Supreme Airline, owned by tycoon Ayii Duang Ayii, crashed at an airstrip in Jonglei state, killing 10 people, including the two pilots,
The two pilots were a South Sudanese and a Kenyan national.
While delivering the verdict in Juba, Judge Barnaba Mark Nyikang of the Juba High Court said that the airline failed to guarantee the safety of the pilots, Captain Majur Malual, a South Sudanese national, and Captain Philip, a Kenyan national.
“The court ruled 175,000 US dollars as compensation for each pilot. The funeral cost for the two families is 6,479,000 Kenya shilling for the late Philip’s family and 4,062,000 South Sudanese pounds for the late Majur’s family and 1,000 US dollars for the loss of welfare for Majur’s family,” Mark said.
According to Judge Mark, the verdict was passed in accordance with the Montreal Treaty.
For his part, Advocate Monyluak Alor Kuol, the defense lawyer of the victims, welcomed the verdict, calling it “a standard ruling.”
“In summary, the verdict has come in favour of the two pilots and their families. The court established that South Supreme Airline did not insure the lives of the two pilots and that was proved and the court found them liable for that,” said Monyluak.
Meanwhile, Agum Ater Maciek, the wife of Late Capt. Majur Malou, urged the court to implement the order.
“We are okay with the verdict, but I would like to tell the court that the responsibility of implementing this judgment lies with them, and in case the other party appeals against the judgment, they should expedite the hearing of that appeal so that the case is brought to a conclusion,” said Agum.