Local authorities in Gogrial West County of Warrap State have apprehended a man who raped a pregnant woman late last week.
Gogrial West County commissioner, Victor Wek Kor, said the man raped the pregnant woman in Malek village of Kuajok North Payam on Thursday last week.
"What happened is that a pregnant woman was raped by a man who hid in the bush when three women were returning home after buying their things from the Wunriang Market,” Commissioner Wek explained. “This bad man chased them and the two other women ran faster but the victim who is carrying a baby in her womb didn't run fast and the man raped her until it was quite dark then he allowed her to go."
He said the husband of the woman who had been raped, with relatives in tow, went to the suspected rapist’s house and attempted to burn him in his hut that same night.
"When the victim explained this story to her husband, the relatives, four in number, went to the rapist's house and humanely asked his wife (rapist's wife) to come out with her children so that they can burn the man inside the tukul (hut). Fortunately, the rapist survived death and ran into the bush," Commissioner Wek said.
He said he ordered the arrest of the suspected rapist and the relatives of the raped woman who wanted to kill the former.
“On hearing this, I ordered the police to arrest the man who raped the woman and other 4 people who took the law into their hands by attacking and trying to burn the man inside his house. They are now arrested in Gogrial police custody waiting for trial while the mother who was raped is under medical care in Gogrial PHCC," he said.
Bona Malual Dut, the Warrap State Civil Society Organization Alliance (WASCA) deputy chairperson, condemned the incident and urged the state authorities to try the case expeditiously to deter other wrongdoers.
"We confirmed from the county commissioner that a man raped a pregnant woman and we condemn the incident in the strongest terms possible as Warrap State Civil Society Organization Alliance because it is undermining the peace in the community and creates fights among people,” Malual said.