Five health workers have been killed when South Sudan soldiers attacked a hospital in revenge for the deaths of eight members of the security forces, the local MP has told the BBC.
David Mayo said the fighting was still going on and urged the army to be withdrawn.
Local community leaders confirm that the hospital in the village of Lorema, Eastern Equatoria state, was attacked.
But the state governor denied the reports.
Louis Obong told the BBC that no hospital had been attacked and the security situation was "normal".
An army spokesman said he was investigating the reports and any soldier who had committed abuses would face justice.
'Indiscriminate shooting'
The soldiers were deployed after eight of the governor's bodyguards were killed when they were sent to track down cattle rustlers.
The BBC's Nyambura Wambugu in South Sudan says many residents of the mountainous area around Lorema are heavily armed, including with rocket-propelled grenades, left over from the two-decade civil war against the north.
Mr Mayo said that 13 soldiers were currently being treated in hospital, in the state capital, Torit.
But he blames the soldiers for the violence, saying they opened fire indiscriminately when they arrived in Lorema, before going on to attack the hospital and set fire to local homes.
One doctor, one patient and four nurses died, he said.
Human rights groups have accused South Sudan's army, made up of former rebels, of committing numerous abuses against civilians since independence in 2011 - charges the army has strongly denied.
Our reporter says there is a long history of cattle raiding in Eastern Equatoria, as in many other parts of the country.
Cattle lie at the heart of life for many communities in the country which has hardly any banks - they represent wealth, a dowry, property and a source of food in the lean season.
A single cow can be worth hundreds of dollars depending on its colouring.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Mahama’s open endorsement of Bagbin needless – Rabi Salifu
28 minutes -
Police station torched as Ejura youth clash with officers
30 minutes -
If Ibrahim Traoré goes civilian, it may be because of Mahama’s inauguration – Prof Abotsi
1 hour -
Kwaku Asare welcomes Mahama’s reduction in Ministries but advocates legislative process to cement it
2 hours -
I’m concerned about failure to implement AWW report – Prof Abotsi
2 hours -
US returns $50m in alleged stolen funds to Nigeria
2 hours -
Mahama restructures Ministries, reduced from 30 to 23 – See full list
2 hours -
2 siblings die after being locked in water drum by 6-year-old sister
3 hours -
Mahama shouldn’t have openly directed Parliament to elect Speaker – Prof. Kwaku Asare
3 hours -
Daily Insight for CEOs: The power of delegation – Empowering leaders within your organization
3 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses inaugurations, prisoner pardon and failed CJ petition
3 hours -
Revisiting the forensic audit of EC will increase credibility of future elections – Omane Boamah
5 hours -
Africa Food Systems Parliamentary Network urges governments to increase investment in agriculture
13 hours -
AU and partners urge youth to get involved in efforts to transform continent’s food systems
13 hours -
Fire kills 3-year-old at Asawase-Dagomba Line in Ashanti Region
14 hours