Police in Magwi County of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State on Monday arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with a murder that occurred in the area on Saturday.

Local authorities said the accused, Mr Obbale, killed a 58-year-old woman after raping her.

David Ulak, the Executive Director for Magwi Payam, told Radio Tamazuj that the suspect was in the process of being referred to Torit town for further interrogations.  

“The incident happened on Saturday and the suspect was also arrested. He is in police custody and is in the process of being referred to Torit,” David said.

Okwera Washington, the brother of the late woman, said: “My sister was not staying within the centre, she was having another house in the centre and another one in the garden.  She was drinking alcohol with a certain man. And after consuming alcohol, she told the man that she was going home but the man followed my sister and then raped her and killed her, ”Okwera explained.

Lilly Achan Robert, a women’s leader in Magwi County, condemned the incident and appealed to the government to ensure that the perpetrator faces the law.

“This issue pains us so much because the suspect was earlier in police with another crime… People should condemn such practices. He has just been released and he committed this crime again,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Mrs Joyce Amito, the Secretary-General for the Women’s Association in Eastern Equatoria State, called for justice.

“This case is dangerous, it is not good. I am sure the woman was innocent, so such cases should not be left like that. We are also calling for this man to face justice, not only this man but anybody who commits such criminal acts,” she said.

South Sudan laws provide for the protection of women and girls from sexual abuse and exploitation, gender-based violence, including rape, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.