National Police Services (SSNPS) said that after the video circulated, law enforcement was able to apprehend four suspects with the help of the community, but the remaining four are still on the run

By William Madouk

Four suspects linked to viral gang rape in Sherikat of Juba suburbs are still being hunted, said the police Spokesperson, Major Gen. James Monday Enoka.

South Sudan National Police Services (SSNPS) said that after the video circulated, law enforcement was able to apprehend four suspects with the help of the community, but the remaining four are still on the run.

Police said the terrible incident occurred on June 19 and only became public after the suspect leaked the video on social media.

“That took place on the 19th of this month … on that day, the girl went home. Of course, because of trauma, the time did not report to her parents,” Enoka said.

“It is true that this offense was committed in Gumbo Sherikat, whereby eight criminals raped a girl … in an isolated place – All the eight of them raped the girl,” he added.

Gen. Enoka stated that as the clip spread like wildfire on social media, acquaintances reached out to the survivor’s family, who in turn opened a report at the Gumbo Police Station.   

“So, the police began to apprehend the criminals. Four of the eight criminals have been arrested. They are now in custody. The search is going on to arrest the remaining four,” he explained.

“The investigation is going on and we are confident that we will apprehend the rest of the criminals. They do confess that they did the crimes; I was there, I went and interviewed them because I thought that was maybe artificial intelligence [doctored

video] but that was not the case,” he revealed.

Police urged the public to help them apprehend the remaining four perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare issued a statement on Thursday condemning the heinous sexual assault committed on the teenage girl.

“I speak before you today with a heavy heart and profound anger. The recent horrific sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl by a group of more than six boys is an unspeakable act of violence that demands our strongest condemnation,” said Minister Aya Benjamin Warille.

She said the senseless act of violence is a serious breach of human rights and a tragic assault on the dignity and safety of young women and girls.

“We stand in solidarity with the victim and her family during this difficult time. Such acts of brutality have no place in our society and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” the Minister added.

According to the minister, this is more than simply a crime against a person; it is a crime against values, future, and collective humanity, adding that the culprits must be brought to justice quickly and decisively.

“We call on parents and community leaders to actively engage in fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and zero tolerance for violence,” Aya said.

In an interview, Malala John, national coordinator at Survivor’s Network in South Sudan (SUNS) said: “We in the network call upon our government, especially the Ministry of Justice, the Human Rights Commission in South Sudan and the Civil Society of Peace, to protect young girls and ensure they are covered.”

Malala urged police to crack down on gangs or niggas groups in Gumbo and throughout Juba to prevent such crimes in the future.

She slammed people who share the photos and video of the survivors without considering confidentiality.

“What I can say is that first, young men in South Sudan should respect one another. Secondly, they should understand that these ladies are their sisters, mothers. They can also put themselves in those shoes,” Malala noted

“They must understand that women’s dignity is extremely important, and we must work closely.” Also, men should keep their young men or boys at home, this rape issue cannot help in the country,” she added.

In a phone interview with The City Review on Thursday, Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Inclusive Governance and a frontline SGBV advocate , expressed concern that the video demonstrates a lack of seriousness in the country regarding rape.

Ms. Nasiwa complained that many rape incidents occurred in the past but justice was never served, raising the question on the actions taken to curb such sexual vices.

What law says

Rape is a capital offense punished by law under Section 247(1) of the South Sudan Penal Code Act of 2008.

“Whoever has sexual intercourse or carnal intercourse with another person, against his or her will or without his or her consent, commits the offence of rape, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years and may also be liable to a fine.” Partly read the Panel Act.

Similarly, Section 247(2) of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008 states that, “A consent given by a man or woman below the age of eighteen years shall not be deemed to be consent.

As the manhunt for the other four rape suspects continues, it remains to be seen how justice will prevail.