Three cops jailed over custodial death of woman in Ibba County
By Emmanuel Mandela
Three police officers have been sentenced to six years imprisonment after they were found guilty of the death of a woman in police custody in Ibba County of Western Equatoria State in January.
The killing had stirred public discourse that caused widespread condemnations and called for accountability.
The convicted officers, Hakim Harun, John David, and Elias Taban, were found guilty under Section 4.8/210 of the South Sudan Penal Code following the death of a 32-year-old woman in Ibba County on January 14, 2025.
The woman was allegedly subjected to severe beatings while in detention at Police Station 188A, leading to her death.
The case was filed under number 55-2025 R.I.R. No. 17.
Delivering the verdict, Chief Judge Angelo Daniel Yor of the High Court in Yambio ordered the trio to pay a combined SSP 15 million as compensation to the victim’s family, and additional SSP 3.4 million in legal costs.
“This court decision was not only about sentencing, but about restoring the public’s confidence in justice; the law must prevail regardless of uniform or title,” Judge Yor said.
This ruling follows The City Review article earlier this year that exposed the delays in the investigation and growing community frustration over the lack of arrests. The article prompted swift action from judicial and police authorities, who later launched a formal probe leading to the arrests.
The ruling was met with approval from both local authorities and community leaders.
In an exclusive interview on Sunday, Mr. Wilson Tetela, Commissioner of Ibba County, termed the judgment as “a turning point for justice in Western Equatoria.”
“People were eager to see these officers convicted to ensure fairness. This judgment sends a message that such acts must not happen again and that no one is above the law, not even me as county commissioner.”
However, Mrs. Agnes Michael, Chairlady of Ibba County Women’s Union, expressed that the court had sided with truth and justice. She called on all courts of the law in the country to do the same to protect women from abuses and violence.
“We’ve lost a woman, someone’s daughter, sister, or mother, but this judgment gives hope to women that their lives matter. It’s a sign that brutality will no longer be swept under the rug,” she said.
According to Elia Juma, a prominent human rights defender based in Yambio, the court’s stance was “a breath of fresh air in a system long criticized for shielding rascal officers.”
“This case sets a new precedent, and it shows that even within our fragile justice system, accountability is possible. But it mustn’t stop here, reforms must follow,” Juma noted.
For his part, the Paramount Chief of Ibba County, Marona Sako, added that the community had remained peaceful in the wake of the verdict.
“There have been no complaints from civilians; the case was handled properly, which is why people are at peace,” he said, urging citizens to uphold the law and refrain from retaliatory actions.
Despite the commendation, several civil society leaders called on the Ministry of Interior to initiate broader reforms in police training, especially in rural counties.
“The culture of violence and impunity within the police force must end, and we need human rights integrated into every officer’s training curriculum,” added Juma.
As the officers begin their sentences, many in Western Equatoria hope this case marks the beginning of a new era, one in which justice is not a privilege, but a right.
