The High Court in Gudele, Juba has sentenced a 49 year-old lawmaker for rape. John Deng Both who is also the Chairperson for Peace and Healing Commission in Pangak State was convicted for raping a nine-year-old girl in Juba in January 2018.
Presiding Judge Mujahid Aballah Akol Deng announced the court verdict on Tuesday upon receivng enough evidence including the child’s testimony after the lawmaker earlier denied the charge.
Philip Palet Gadien, a member of the national parliament and head of South Sudan African National Union party SSANU expresses delight over the verdict . He however noted that he was expecting the maximum sentence to frighten others.
Madam G.O. the mother of the nine year-old rape survivor who was in tears condemns the behavior of the convict John Deng Both who according her ‘raped her 9 year child for a whole day without giving her food or water’. She says this will send a message to rapists that the act is a serious crime against the laws of the country.
The rape case against the lawmaker has been in court since January 2018. John Deng was put on bail several times and the matter adjourned. On Tuesday 23rd October, he was found guilty of raping a minor contrary to South Sudan’s penal code.
John Deng Buoth will be transfered to the Juba Central Prison where he is expected to serve his ten year jail term.