WARRAP – Police in Gogrial East County in Warrap State have arrested a 40-year-old man accused of raping a 28-year-old lactating mother at her home where he was being hosted.
Mayardit 90.7 FM, an offshoot of The Radio Community network, reported that the suspect, identified only as Manyang, who was staying at the woman’s home as a visitor, is now in custody at Luanyaker Prison.
The radio station quotes Thiik Agoth Giir, the deputy director for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as saying the suspect was a one-day visitor to the survivor’s home.
“Manyang came as a visitor to the family, looking for a place to sleep, and was welcomed. The following morning, the man of the house asked him to leave the house with him as he was heading to another place. The visitor refused, claiming he would be going to a nearby market called Mawut Aker Market to look for something,” Agoth narrated.
“The husband of the woman left him sitting on a chair. He stayed until he decided to follow the woman to the simsim garden, where he raped the breastfeeding mother of a seven-month-old child.”
The incident reportedly happened over the weekend, but the woman only reported the case on Monday. She is now receiving treatment at Luanyaker Health Facility.
Bol Rech Gom, a nurse at the hospital, confirmed the survivor is under medical care.
“It is true the woman is now with us. She is under medication. The incident happened three days ago, but she did not report to the police on time. She only reported the case yesterday and arrived at the hospital today. Her treatment is ongoing,” Rech said.
“The baby was stopped from breastfeeding by the family. The baby is small, and that is just culture. But scientifically, we are advising her to continue breastfeeding the baby.”
According to the CID, this case brings the total number of reported rape incidents in Gogrial East County during July to eight including two women and six girls.
Police authorities are warning men to stop committing crimes against women and girls.
Under Article 247 of the Penal Code Act, 2008 (South Sudan), rape is defined as a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years, and may also include a fine.
