Family of murdered children condemn politicization of case on Social Media

On August 1st, a mother walked into her house and found all her three children slain in the
throat.
She had left the siblings; 9-year-old Naomi Edward, 7-year-old Blessing Edward and 4-year old
Nor Edward watching television at home at around 4:30 pm.
Despite the shock, she managed to reach call police, who rushed to the scene and arrested 16
people in connection to the murder. The suspects include family members, neighbors and some
builders who were building a house in the neighborhood.
On August 2nd, the police made fresh arrests after interrogating the previous suspects and on
Tuesday this week The Inspector General of police said they identified Babu Emmanuel Lokiri as
the prime suspect in the murder of these children. He said police had substantial evidence that
Lokiri committed the crime and would be used in court during trial.
The news of Lokiri’s arrest soon flooded the social media platforms as people posted their
views pro or against him. Some posted images of the three victims while others posted his
photographs on Facebook and twitter throughout the week.
 
But relatives of the deceased are furious of the way people are commenting on the case
including posting misleading information on social media. The family of the children said people
who are posting misleading information on social media are causing more pain to the bereaved
family.
 
A close relative of the family who declined to be identified by name for fear of being attacked
on social media said people are hurting the bereaved family much further by posting unverified
information.
 
The anonymous relative told The Insider it is wrong for people to post anything on social media
about both the bereaved family and the accused without considering the feelings of the family
who are hurting and traumatized by the death of their children.
  
“Rather than saying it’s the mother, the father, the stepmother, you guys are not our family, so
you don’t know what has been happening before this occurred.” She said.
“We are sick of being on social media by the way.” She reiterated.
She added that this has scared her from responding to posts about the case she fears once she
exposes herself as one of the family members, people might attack her online.
“I am not in a position to expose myself to people and say this is my family and this is what’s
happening because I don’t know what people are going to put on my (Facebook) wall or inbox, I
might even end up committing suicide.” She told The Insider.

The head of the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) said it’s a crime for people to post
misleading information on sensitive issues they know nothing or little about.
  
General Majak Akech, Inspector General of Police told reporters on Tuesday this week that
although police have identified Babu Emmanuel Lokiri, a fourth-year student of medicine at the
University of Juba as the prime suspect in the murder, that does not give the public the right to
politicize the crime and post false information online.
 Police chief, Gen. Akech warns the public against posting on social media misleading
information about the case., saying since the police have identified the prime suspect, he will
be arraigned in a court of law on a date they have yet to determine, to answer charges against
him. 
  “Anyone who writes information on social media that is not related to the investigations we
carried, saying it’s a woman, or those arrested or the brother of the children, or whoever, these
things must stop from today. It’s not true and not fair.” Gen Akech told journalists in Juba
earlier this week.
The relative of the children said those who post accusing the parents or relatives of the late
children of killing their own should consider the health repercussions of their actions. She said
people should wait until the court proves the suspects guilty before they rush to conclusions.
  
“Now after this, if he comes out innocent what is he going to do. He has to react and whether
he’s going to be silent or he’s going to do something, it’s not going to be good for him.”
Lokiri is believed to be mentally ill and the close relative said the 24-year-old should be put
under the custody of a psychiatrist to understand what made him to commit such a cruel act if
he really did kill these children.
“I am just like the rest of the people. I also want to know what really made Babu to kill these
children. Mental health is very important, but people don’t think about it.” She added noting
that those who accuse the mother of the children have not seen how traumatized the woman
is.
“people react differently to different situations. There those who cry and fall and there’re those
who just keeps quit and you cannot know what they are thinking. That’s dangerous. I am also a
mother, there’s no way for a mother to carry a child for nine months and raise your kids for
four, seven and nine years only to kill them. You will kill yourself instead.” She said.
   
Police spokesman Major General Daniel Justin said the prosecution expects laboratory results
on the forensic evidence today, Friday August 14th, after which they will file the case in court
before a hearing is scheduled.
  

“We are waiting for the results from the forensic lab then after that the case is summarized and
sent to court. So, everything is going well,” Maj Gen. Justin told The Insider.
He said when the public will be informed once the court announces the date of Lokiri’s trial.
  
Gen. Akech said the 16 suspects previously arrested in connection with the case will be released
and be recalled for questioning only if they are needed during the trial.
 
According to the Bill of Rights in South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution 2011, any
person accused of a crime has the right to defend himself or herself in person or through a
lawyer of their choosing or a legal aid assigned to them by the court if they cannot afford legal
representation.