The members drowned from more than six groups, including 4SG Slime, West Coast, ODA, Killers Gangs, and Black Devils, were apprehended on Tuesday amid a crackdown campaign against gangsterism.
The crackdown follows multiple reports of a horrific incident involving the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl in Juba’s Sherikat suburb.
It comes after a graphic video of the assault, which allegedly involved around six to eight suspects, surfaced online, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
The South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) has arrested seven suspects in connection with the crime, while four others remain at large in an incident which occurred when the girl was ambushed while returning from a local market.
Activists and officials, including the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, have condemned the act and have pushed for stronger laws and enforcement to combat gender-based violence.
The South Sudan Penal Code Act of 2008 classifies rape as a serious offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Community leaders and legal experts are also advocating for systemic reforms to address the rising issue of sexual violence in the region.
The apprehension of the gang members by the Central Equatoria State authorities signifies a coordinated response to tackle not just sexual violence but gang activities within the region and the country’s capital.
