South Sudan parliament summons ministers over insecurity in Juba
August 20, 2013 (JUBA) – The speaker of the South Sudan’s national parliament, James Wani Igga, has lashed out to the security ministers, demanding that they appear before the national legislative assembly over the renewed night robberies and murders in the capital in the last few days.
The speaker on Monday demanded to summon the security ministers following a brutal killing of two brothers who were ambushed in their house on Sunday evening by unknown gunmen dressed in police uniform in the area of Hai Tarawa, located in the heart of the city.
The summoned officials included the new minister of defence and veterans affairs, Kuol Manyang Juuk, interior, Aleu Ayieny Aleu, and security services in the office of the president, Mbote Mamur.
Hundreds of angry residents and relatives of the murdered two brothers on Monday stormed the parliament premises in protest while carrying the two dead bodies, calling on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to check on the security organs and ensure protection of the lives and property of the citizens.
Speaker James Wani, who joined the protest at the parliament, expressed disappointment in the weaknesses of the security sector, which he criticised for “not doing their job well.”
An eyewitness said the two brothers were shot dead when about nine armed men in police uniform stormed their house on Sunday night, demanding money from them.
The revelation was expressed by the protestors who shouted insults against the police. “Shame on the police,” they shouted.
Undisciplined personnel belonging to the army, police and national security are also suspected of conniving with criminals or lending them their guns and ammunitions for such criminal operations in return for shares in looted money.
Addressing the crowd in the parliament compound, the visibly angry speaker assured the mourners that his parliament will summon the three ministers to account for the worsening situation.
The mass protest which rocked the capital on Monday was surprisingly not broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan Television (SSTV), amidst accusations that some security personnel prevented the pictures and “inflammatory speech” of the speaker from being broadcast.
(ST)