SPLA soldiers deployed to Tonj State to disarm civilians went on the rampage last Friday, beating up Malou Kharsit, the chief of Mekuei Kharsit area for allegedly failing to provide food, a local official said.

Officials in South Sudan’s Tonj state have recently appealed to citizens to assist the country’s army (SPLA) carrying out the disarmament exercise in the area, with food items.

Deputy Commissioner of Tonj Police, Joseph Mayiei Aru, told Radio Tamazuj that SPLA soldiers tasked with disarmament have beaten up a traditional leader in the area.

He explained that the incident took place when the chief failed to provide food. “A local chief from Kuanyja called Mayor Majok moved from Kuanyja area to the area of Makuei kharsit with soldiers, so after arriving there he found Sultan Malou Kharsit at his home and the soldiers ordered him to bring food,” he said.

“The chief asked the soldiers to sit and wait as he goes around the area in search of food, but soldiers did not wait. So they went around taking goats belonging to the locals in the area and when Sultan Malou tried to stop them, they started beating him until his right arm was broken,” he added.

Mayiei further said the chief was responding to treatment at Tonj Civil Hospital. The local official noted that the matter will be investigated.

SPLA spokesman Lul Ruai Koang could not immediately be reached for comment.