A rainmaker in South Sudan has been killed and his body burnt to ashes for allegedly failing to bring rain at Mohina Villgae in Kideopo valley, Ikotos County in Eastern Equatoria State.
Radio Tamazuj reports that the deceased identified as Augustiono Molong, was arrested by a group of youths and beat and killed him before handing his body to a group of women who burned it to ashes.
This sparked tensions between the Mohina and Lodwara communities as the relatives to the deceased sought to avenge.
The Otuho tradition maintains that the role of the rainmaker is to ensure it rains in time to allow farming and he is entitled to a share of the harvest and livestock from every village he serves.
Mr Tito Abas, the former Executive Director (ED) in the defunct Kidepo Valley County, is worried about the tension escalating as the Mohina and Lodwara communities are organising to attack each other.
He calls for government intervention.
“The Mohina killed Augustino Molong, a rainmaker on allegations that he is the one who stopped the rains. He was killed and women were brought to burn this person using coconut branch and the person burnt to ashes,” he explains.
“It is now creating tension between Lodwara and Mohina and now people fear crossing and reaching the Chorokol centre yet this is where pregnant women and children go and get medication,” he adds.
No suspects have so far been arrested but the former ED says those responsible will be charged with murder.
Mr Joseph Lokolong Jenisio, the Ikotos County Commissioner, said he could not comment on the matter since he lacked detailed information.
“I cannot actually tell you exactly what had happened because they did not deliver to me the report,” he said.
The Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, Mr Peter Lokeng Lotone, confirms the incident adding that security forces will be sent to investigate the matter.
“There is tension between Mohina and Lodwara over the issue of the rainmaker who was killed. It was the people of Mohina who came and took this person from a funeral rite function and killed him because they alleged that he stopped the rain,” he says.
“We are aware of this incident and we are going to sit as security organs to select police to investigate the issue. It is true this revenge will happen but we have talked to the chiefs not to revenge and we are going to handle the perpetrators who will face the law,” he continues.
