An unidentified gunman has killed the Director General (DG) of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction in Western Equatoria State (WES).
In an interview with this outlet, Maj. Philip Madut Tong, the police commissioner, confirmed the incident.
The police commissioner said that Mr. Peter Mbia was shot dead at his residence on Saturday evening in Yambio.
Madut confirmed that the Director General was murdered on Saturday evening around 7pm at his home.
He added that the murderers raided the house of the deceased and beat some family members.
“One elderly man who was living with the victim where the incident occurred was beaten by the gun, and he was injured, but it is not serious,” Madut said.
He revealed that investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made so far.
The police confirmed that an elderly man at the scene was also assaulted and sustained minor injuries after being hit with the butt of a gun.
The shocking killing sparked condemnation and a call for justice across the state and South Sudan at large. ,
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio condemned the act and called on the government to ensure that the criminals are brought to book.
In a statement to the media, the faith-based leader termed the incident barbaric and inhuman.
“This heinous act is barbaric, illegal, and utterly un-Christian. It is a grave violation of both God’s law and our nation’s laws. It offends the dignity of human life and shames our collective conscience,” the bishop said in a statement.
He described Mbia as a devout Catholic and lifelong educator, and “a true teacher of teachers.
The bishop called on the government to ensure justice for those killed in cold blood in Western Equatoria as well as other parts of the country.
On his part, Ter Manyang, the Executive Director for the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), strongly condemned the brutal killing of an education officer.
In a statement to the media, Manyang called on the government to improve security.
“This random killing is a tragic reminder of the insecurity faced by public servants and civilians alike. Such acts of violence are completely unacceptable in any modern society,” he said.
He called on the authorities in Western Equatoria State and the national government to immediately investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without delay.
He urged the government to strengthen law enforcement institutions and uphold the rule of law to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
Since the removal of the former governor Alfred Futuyo, violent and targeted killings continue to persist while parties to the peace agreement and communities continue to play blame games.
Despite government efforts to improve security in Western Equatoria, insecurity and targeted killings persist.