A minor girl was on Sunday raped by herders in Mvolo County of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, a local official said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Mvolo County Executive Director Isaac Togule said the incident took place when the victim was on her way to collect firewood near the river.
“A 17-year-old girl met some cattle keepers on her way to collect firewood. The cattle keepers seized the girl by force and raped her at gunpoint,” he said.
Isaac pointed out that the girl was receiving treatment at Mvolo Hospital, saying authorities are pursuing the perpetrator to ensure justice takes its course.
The local official has called for calm and urged Mvolo residents not to take the law into their own hands. “The government is working on the reported rape case, so people should follow the government system,” he stressed.
South Sudan laws provide for protection of women and girls from sexual abuse, exploitation and gender-based violence, including rape.
Article 17 of the South Sudan constitution defines a child as anyone under the age of 18, and further states that the best interests of the child will be protected in all matters related to his or her life, and that they should not be subjected to exploitative practices or abuse.