South Sudanese police said Thursday they arrested seven suspects in the alleged gang-rape of a girl in the capital, Juba, after a video of the assault circulated online.
The disturbing footage appears to show the girl being forced into sexual acts by a group of youths who recorded the incident in the Sherikat neighborhood, police said. Under South Sudan’s 2008 Penal Code, rape is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, a fine, or both.
Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka, the national police spokesperson, told Radio Tamazuj that Inspector General Gen. Abraham Manyuat ordered the swift arrest of the suspects.
“The IGP directed the assistant inspector general for criminal investigations to deploy a special force to apprehend the criminals,” Enoka said. “I am happy to say the criminals have been arrested, and the investigation is underway. The case will be taken to court.”
The victim is receiving medical treatment, he added.
Enoka warned that rape is a serious crime under South Sudanese law and said authorities are working with communities to combat gender-based violence by encouraging reporting and prosecution.
Civil society activist Ter Manyang Gatwech condemned the attack, calling it part of a troubling rise in violence against women and girls.
“We urge law enforcement to ensure all perpetrators are held accountable,” Gatwech said. He also pressed the government to enact stronger laws protecting women and girls.
Other Incidents
In a separate incident, Police Spokesperson Enoka said unidentified assailants burned down three shops in Tambura town, Western Equatoria State, blaming suspected rebel activity for the attack.
Meanwhile, in Unity State, a woman was fatally stabbed with a spear in Rubkona County, with police opening an investigation, Enoka said.