Akuot Agany Kuut, the 18-year-old girl whose eyes were pierced by her father in Paliang Payam in Tonj East County, Warrap State, has been referred to Juba for eye treatment.
Upon her arrival on Wednesday at Juba International Airport, a businesswoman, Sarah Enoka, who is facilitating Akuot’s treatment, called on well-wishers support to the girl.
“We call on the government and NGOs to support us in treating Akuot. It is our collective responsibility; the government should also make sure the person responsible should be brought to book as an example,” Ms Enoka told TRC.
Luacjang Community Leader, Mathew Mathiang Magordit, also criticized the father, saying he should have sought for a dialogue over the matter before taking law into his own hands.
“What happened was a family misunderstanding between the girl and her father but the father did not understand his daughter. If you have an issue with your daughter, sit with your brothers to settle such disputes,” Mathiang said
The incident happened nearly two weeks ago, when Agany Kuut Achuil allegedly intentionally pricked Akuot’s eyes with a cannula several times.
The aim, Kuut told the police there, was to stop the daughter from “seeing men again” following the previous failed marriage.
South Sudan Penal Code 2008 categorizes “permanent deprivation of the sight of an eye, or the hearing of an ear or the power of speech” under grievous harm.
“Whoever…voluntarily causes grievous hurt by any such means, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years and may be liable to a fine,” reads Article 238 (2).
