Shock and fear gripped residents of Bur Payam in Torit County of Eastern Equatoria State when a 19-year-old man was beaten to death by his brother-in-law on Saturday.
Torit police spokesperson Justin Kleopas Takuru confirmed the incident saying the suspect had been arrested pending trial.
Takuru identified the deceased as Elijo Otwari, 19, and the suspect as Aharanya Ohide, 25.
“The two men met at the dancing ground at around 6:00 pm and exchanged words. Ohide reportedly asked Otwari why he delayed in paying dowry. In the process of discussions, Ohide took a stick and hit Otwari on the head,” Takuru told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday.
“He [Ohide] tried to escape, but our team went to the scene and arrested him. He is in police custody as investigations continue and should it be confirmed that the beating led to Otwari’s death, we will forward Ohide to court,” he said.
The police officer appealed to local chiefs and community police to immediately intervene whenever such an issue arises.
This is the third dowry-related incident in the state since last month.