Authorities in South Sudan’s Lakes State said lightning struck a military outpost in Rumbek East County, killing 10 cows and injuring two others.
The cattle were among those seized by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) following recent clashes between soldiers and armed youths in Panawach and Pacong. The violence left one civilian dead and five soldiers wounded. It remains unclear how many cows were taken to the Mabor-duong military barracks.
Rumbek East County Commissioner Malual Anyuon confirmed the incident, which occurred Monday at the Mabor-duong outpost. He said the cows were confiscated from civilians during the clashes in an effort to pressure suspects to surrender for investigation.
“The SSPDF soldiers took the cattle from Panawach Payam and brought them to the military barracks,” Anyuon told Radio Tamazuj on Monday. “They were grazing when lightning struck during the rain.”
He said one of the owners, Malek Kuot-tieng, lost six cows, while the remaining four belonged to his family.
“When things like this happen, we say it is God’s doing,” he said. “The owners were asked to identify their cattle, as the purpose of seizing them was to compel suspects involved in the clashes to report to authorities.”