An alleged love affair resulted in the killing of two wildlife officers in Narus in Eastern Equatoria State’s Kapoeta East County, sparking concerns among community leaders over rising cases of emotional violence and failure to use traditional and legal channels to resolve personal conflicts.
The two officers working with the wildlife service were killed on Saturday following an alleged confrontation linked to claims of an affair involving one of the officers and another person’s wife, according to local authorities and community representatives.
The incident has triggered calls from community leaders for residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands and instead seek intervention from elders, police, and relevant authorities.
Moses Lokolong, the youth leader in Kapoeta East County, said the incident reflects a dangerous approach to handling personal disputes within communities. He added that individuals involved in such cases should not act alone but should seek guidance through established community mechanisms.
“As a person from the community, I think that kind of action or ideology is not good. When such issues happen, people should consult the community because there are ways of handling these situations,” he said.
He explained that after allegations of an affair arise, the affected parties should involve elders and leaders instead of immediately confronting individuals.
“Someone may think he is taking the right step by confronting another person, but such actions can create more problems. The community has traditional ways of addressing these matters,” he added.
He warned that personal disputes should never lead to loss of lives.
Meanwhile, Rose Lokwam, the women leader in Kapoeta East County, also condemned the killing and urged community members to remain calm when faced with sensitive personal disputes.
“If someone finds themselves in such a situation, the best thing is to report to the police for protection. The government and security authorities are there to handle such cases,” she said. “Killing was not the right decision. There are legal ways of dealing with such issues, but taking someone’s life is not the answer.”
“When someone reacts at that particular moment because of anger, later they may realize they made the wrong decision. People need to control their emotions and take time before acting,” Lokwan added.
She urged community members facing similar challenges to seek advice from elders, police, and local authorities.
“Sometimes you need time to think carefully and find the correct decision. Do not act according to the emotions of that moment,” she advised.
She added that cases involving relationships and family disputes require dialogue and patience rather than violence.
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