Army soldier admits to killing 3 Syrian nationals intentionally over unfair treatment

JUBA, FEBRUARY 22^nd 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldier accused of killing three Syrian construction workers has on Wednesday admitted to killing his employers intentionally over many issues including unfair treatment.

Army Private Yak Garang Yak attached with the country’s presidential guards confessed to General Court Martial that he was angered over being underpaid, lack of medical allowance, and low feeding allowance.

“Whenever I traveled with him to Wau, he sleeps in hotel Gazale where he pays 100 U.S dollars per night and he accommodates me in a local hotel of 700 SSP in his hotel, there is enough food but there is no food in my hotel and the way he is treating me annoyed me the most,” Garang told General Court Martial on Wednesday.

On 7^th January 2023, Private Garang who served in the army for 27 years was accused of killing three Syrians and a 15-year-old South Sudanese in Akon village of Gogrial West in Warrap State.

Garang who worked as a driver and security officer for CKM Construction Company which was hired to construct President Salva Kiir’s house in his home village of Akon said he ordered them to kneel down on their knees and shot them one after another.

“I intended to kill them because I was angered by the way they treat me.”

He admitted to killing three Syrias and spared two Egyptian because he had nothing against them.

“I woke up at around 7:00 AM and I went to my workplace with a gun and when I met Yasir, I told him we are finished, I shot him on his shoulder and on his head and I shot the two with one bullet each,” he said.

Garang who worked for the construction company for two years was entitled to an allowance of 30,000 South Sudanese Pounds per a month.

Two eyewitnesses, one Syrian and one Egyptian gave their testimonies on how the three Syrian were murdered by the suspect.

Maj. Gen, Lul Ruai Koang, army spokesperson, said while briefing journalists that the court was adjourned until 28^th February to give rooms for judges to frame charges against the accused.

“When we reconvened on the 28^th of this month, the General Court Martial will read charges against the accused,” said Gen. Lul.