Eastern Equatoria deputy governor denies assaulting state official

February 2, 2012 (JUBA) – Nartisio Loluke Manir, the deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria state on Thursday denied ordering the assault of an official in the state before departing for Juba.

Manir described the allegations that he had ordered the beating of the Director General of the Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies as “just nonsense”.

An anonymous, highly placed source within the state ministry of local government and law enforcement agency on Thursday told Sudan Tribune that deputy himself participated in the beating.

“I was personally present at the ministry when the deputy governor came with some policemen and started harassing staff members. This was taking place within the compound of the ministry. Given the severity of the beating, the Director General was immediately rushed to Torit State Hospital before being referred to Juba Teaching Hospital the same day where he is currently undergoing treatment. Just go to Juba teaching Hospital you will find him there”, the source explained.

Sources attribute Manir’s anger at being relieved from his position as the deputy governor and being reinstated as caretaker deputy governor until the next government is formed.

The same decree transferred the office of deputy governor to the state secretariat and instructed the Director General to assume immediate responsibility of the security of the ministry facility.

The source said despite instructions, the Caretaker Deputy Governor instructed his office manager to report to the Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies and “did not want to listen to the instructions of the Director General”.

He claimed Manir fled the state following the incident in a three-car convoy with nine bodyguards.

The allegations, which Manir refutes, have not been independently verified.

(ST)