Four dealers netted in Bor over fake money

By Philip Thon Aleu

November 7, 2008 (BOR TOWN) – Four people, including one woman, and identified as Kenyan nationals, have been caught possessing fake money by security forces in Bor, an official told reporters here on Friday.

The fake money owners indentified themselves as Samuel Meti, Patrick Raman, Geofrey Lokwa and Magret Lokeri. They denied any wrongdoings.

Jonglei chief of Security, Colonel Panchol Jokuch labeled the money dealers as enemies of peace and anti-economical development in Southern Sudan.

The head of the accused is identified as Magret. She has fake 900 Sudanese Pounds in cash but she denies counterfeiting claiming she got it from his restaurant customers. The three meanwhile, have been spending days moving around the town buying minor items in order to speed-up the circulation of their “money” and weighting-up pockets.

Asked at the jail, they have differing approaches. “I was just drinking [beer] with him and only brought along. I don’t know anything about the money” one said pointing his colleague. “I never knew it was a fake money until I was arrested by the police,” yet one says. Another man argued that he got his forged money at Magret’s restaurant. Security chief dismissed the claims but assure the public that law will take it course.

Affected areas in Jonglei capital include peripheral markets and roadside sellers. Sudan tribune has learned that, another Kenyan man has been arrested early this week while buying airtime several times without loading. The man has been injecting fake 50 SDG notes into the market during rushing hours of the day.

Chief of Security disclosed that 3 boxes of forged money has been allegedly sneaked into the State and warns other States of Southern Sudan to be vigilant. “These are anti-peace group. They have a motive to destroy the economy of Southern Sudan but we shall not allow,” Mr. Jokuch told reporters at his office on Friday.

Southern Sudan relies largely on East African countries for trade and many Kenyans and Ugandan traders freely enjoy business atmosphere in the semi-autonomous region.

However, in Jonglei state foreign traders are largely accused of meddling businesses; ranging from improper disposal of used materials and setting fire on Marol market in August, 2008. Three Ugandan ladies were arrested in connection with the fire in which over one million Sudanese Pound was lost and twenty shops burnt to ashes.

(ST)