By Hou Akot Hou
A 60-year-old man has been incarcerated at the Madhol Payam prison in Aweil East for killing three cows.
The incident occurred last week, and the suspect, whose identity is being withheld, has admitted to the act but pleaded for freedom, citing his inability to make compensation.
The man, who hails from Daang village, expressed regret, explaining that he acted irrationally.
“The owner of these cows is my own relative, and I don’t have the means to pay him back. All I do is fish in the swamp,” he recounted, highlighting the complexities of family relationships in the case.
Captain Anei Aliai, the director of the Madhol Payam prison, revealed the frustrations surrounding the incident. He noted that the motive behind the stabbings remains unclear.
“The owner of the cows, Garang Dut, is understandably furious. If the family doesn’t arrange for a settlement—specifically the return of two cows—this conflict could escalate into violence,” Anei warned.
Investigators have been probing the incident to understand why the cows were targeted, especially since they were grazing in the swamps and not on the man’s farm.
It’s suggested that a long-standing family feud may lie at the heart of this bizarre act, contributing to the distress that led to it.
Anei underlined the need for community members to avoid actions that could spark further conflict.
“This incident has shocked the community in Toich, Dang area,” he said. “We need to address issues peacefully rather than resort to violence.”
The case will soon be forwarded to the attorney for legal processing, as local chiefs have attempted to mediate the situation at the grassroots level before it escalates to the county judge.