Lakes: Pastoralist killed in Rumbek

March 30, 2013 (RUMBEK) – Authorities in Lakes state arrested a man in Rumbek on Thursday on suspicion of killing a cattle herder in at a water point near Kabur-William village, located in western part of Rumbek Central County.

The suspect has been taken to a military prison in Langcok located in northern part of Rumbek Central County. Abraham Mayen Kuc, the county’s commissioner said on Saturday that security agents tracked Matur Ater, whom security suspected to had responsibility of killing the man, known only as Majak.

The late Majak said that South Sudanese authorities have managed to return 16 of the 56 cows stolen in Thursday’s attack.

“About 40 cows are missing as I am speaking to you” a witness told Sudan Tribune, adding that the “Commissioner of Rumbek Central County had done the best” he could to retrieve the stolen cattle.

Many people in Lakes state have been disappointed with the government since South Sudan’s president removed the elected Governor Chol Tong Mayay and replaced him with a military caretaker Governor Matur Chut Dhuol in January.

The new governor has introduced a number of harsh and controversial security measures.

Lakes state has been one of the worst of South Sudan’s ten states for cattle raiding, which has continued to blight the young nation since independence in 2011.

Cross border attacks regularly occur of the borders between the triumvirate of Unity, Warrap and Lakes state. Authorities in the three states say they are attempting to end the cycle of cattle raiding, which is accentuated by high dowry prices.

Some inhabitants of Lake state have criticised president Kiir for not fulfilling his South Sudan’s constitution, which states that after a governor is sacked or leaves office a a new governor must be elected within 60 days.

Critics of Governor Dhuol argue that he does not have a legal mandate to continue ruling in Lakes state.

(ST)