Two police officers were arrested on Sunday for allegedly raping two girls, aged 14 and 15, at the Maridi police station in Western Equatoria State.
The two girls had earlier been arrested by the Maridi County Paramount chief, Daniel James Bandiko, who had detained them at the police station.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Emmanuel Laku, the Police Inspector in Maridi County said the two police officers are currently in police custody undergoing investigations.
Laku said the two officers will face justice if they are found guilty. He further said that these two ladies are on treatment and are in good health and will be handed over to their relatives soon.
Chief Bandiko who detained the girls said, “I arrested these girls in Mambe Payam on Thursday last week because the case of the girls running to Juba is common but to my surprise, I heard that two policemen who were on duty opened the cell and raped them and the bad thing is these girls are aged 14 and 15 years old.”
“I am not happy because the police are supposed to keep law and order. If such a thing is happening at the police station, it is not good. As the paramount chief of Maridi I want to tell everyone that the law should take its course. If the law does not take its course, I will have a problem with whoever will downplay this case," Bandiko asserted.
Editha Meling, the Executive Director of the National Women Empowerment Rehabilitation Organization (NWERO) said, “If such a thing is being done by the police yet they are supposed to protect the people and they are the ones raping, as a woman working for the rights of women, I did not sleep because this is so painful. It is a shame for law-keepers to do such and the community will live in fear.”
Meling urged the civil society in Maridi to follow up on cases affecting communities.
According to a medical report by Dr. Lilly Danima of Maridi Hospital, the two girls exhibited injuries but are being treated.
“We got these girls with injuries around their private parts so I have given them medication. I want to advise all parents to fully take care of their children to avoid such from happening,” Dr. Danima advised.
The child Act 2008, says the government shall protect children from all forms of abuse.