Villagers pay K10,000 for the death of girl

 THE people from Kira village in Kagua, Southern Highlands paid a K10,000 cash and 20 live pigs to the relatives of a 17-year-old girl who was killed two weeks ago in Ialibu.

This was a bel kol (saying sorry) payment paid by the suspect’s relatives for the murder. 

They gave the money and pigs to the relatives of the late Elizabeth Kipa from Ialibu.

The payment was held at the Mendo community school ground.

Following her death, villagers at Kira have lost properties worth more than K200,000 comprising homes, domestic animals and food gardens as Kipa’s relatives raided their villages in retaliation.

But with input from the Ialibu LLG president Francis Kandepiale, Kagua LLG president Jack Kopa, Kagua and Ialibu police and peace mediators, peace was restored. Kandepiale commended both parties for restoring peace which saved lives and properties.

He said this was a crime committed by one person and hundreds were suffering.

“This murder was committed by one person and innocent people have suffered. I’m happy to see that peace is restored,” Kandepiale said.

Brendon Mathew from Kagua said his people have suffered from trouble caused by one person.

He said the murder of Kipa had also shocked his people and he was lost for words when informed.

“My people have lost homes and properties with food gardens and domestic animals,” he said, adding the suspect was now under police custody.

He thanked Kipa’s relatives for accepting the bel kol payment.