Police hunt for torture suspects

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
NINE men have been identified over the brutal torture of five women in Kagua, Southern Highlands.
Police Commissioner David Manning said police would not stop investigating until someone was arrested and charged.
“For too long we have seen women tortured and killed, this time we are going after the perpetrators,” he said.
“The law of this country has a long arm and we will not rest until we have the nine men arrested and charged.
“In terms of investigations involving the police into sorcery-related crimes, from the many cases reported, we have identified only nine of the perpetrators.
“From the support we have received from NCD Governor Powes Parkop, we are looking at making arrests soon.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police – operations Anton Billie, who is tasked with over-seeing the investigations, said the perpetrators had fled the village.
Billie said the two victims still alive were now being taken care of in hospital with police working with both women to gather information on the suspects.
“Both women are under police supervision and will be protected till we have completed investigations,” he said.
“We have issued an ultimatum for the village councillors to cooperate with police and have the men arrested.”
Police Minister William Onglo said: “The most vulnerable to be attacked are old women, those who cannot defend themselves.
“It has come to the point that the country is waking up and now being aware of what is happening, recordings of the tortures are being shared via mobile phones, this is now becoming a topic throughout the country.
“The behaviour of the men in this country is disgusting.”
The survivors are now assisting police with their investigations.