Yei State Court sentences 35-year old man to 14 years

April 21, 2016 (YEI) – The High Court in South Sudan’s Yei River state has sentenced a 35-year old man to 14 years in jail.

“The victim is a child of one and half year, the crime committed by the accused is a unique cone and that led to deterrence to the public and in this respect. I hereby convict the accused under section 247 of the Penal Code,” said Yei county High Court judge, Obec Deyong Anyong.

According to the judge, Haskim contravened the 2008 law and is liable to 14 years in detention or a fine of SSP 10,000.

Bernard Maliamungu, the girl’s father, welcomed court’s decision.

“Today I can now sleep because I have been thinking all this period whether the court will rule this complicated case in favour of my daughter or on the side of the accused. I have now believed that the laws of South Sudan are working,” Maliamungu said Thursday.

He added, “I would like to watch and monitor that this person stays in the prison up to the 14 years [ruled]”.

Benson Khamis, a civil society activist, said people should be sensitised on laws and legislations that eventually affect them when they commit crimes.

“Ruling is one thing, but implementation is another. We as civil society organisations will see into it that the ruling is to be executed. The law enforcement agents should be able to critically follow this and make sure that the perpetrator serves the years he has been convicted of,” said Khamis.

The senior social gender inspector in the state, Juma Danis said rape cases were on the rise in Yei River state and urged legal institutions in the country to put in place strong laws to protect children in society.

(ST)