South Sudan’s anti corruption commission denies plot against predecessor
May 28, 2012 (JUBA) – The South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC) on Monday dismissed allegations suggesting senior members of the commission had conspired against the previous head of the anti-graft organisation, Pauline Riak.
Highly-placed sources within the SSACC told Sudan Tribune in series of interviews that Pauline was accused of running the commission single-handedly and was allegedly employing some of her relatives without following public service rules and guidelines on recruitment.
“She was running this commission like a personal property. I tell you she never consulted anybody when it comes to issues related to the commission. She has always been alone. You see her sitting and chatting with only friends and relatives. No consultation. No plans. No what. There was nothing at all,” explained the source who preferred to remain anonymous. “It is better she is gone”, he adds.
However, Johnny Saverio Ayiik, a deputy chairperson of the commission on Monday dismissed claims that some of the commission members were behind the removal of his former boss from the post which she held for nearly six years, from June 2006 until November 2011. South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, relieved her and appointed Supreme Court Judge Gatwec Lul to the position.
“I am not aware of these evil talks. I only hear it from the media”, said Ayiik, explaining that none of the members of the commission conspired against the former chairwoman.
Gatwec Lul, the current chair of the commission, in a separate interview said nobody had anything against Riak, adding that he did not conspire top have her removed.
“I did not conspire and I had no reason to do it because I was even serving at high position as Supreme Court Judge. My salary was higher than the money I am paid as the chair of the commission. I accepted the appointment because I wanted to serve my people.”
Lul said that speculation that he and other officials had a role in Riak’s removal were trying to promote division. “Tribal politics takes [the] country nowhere”, he said.
He called on the general public to help the commission by voluntarily sharing any information related to the misuse of public resources, including abuses of office by people holding public office or those in the position of authority.
“Fighting corruption is never a work of one person or single institution”, he said.
No official has been prosecuted for corruption since the region gained self-rule in 2005 after a peace deal with Khartoum, despite graft being recognised a major problem.
“We need people to come with any information that they see could be of any help to us particularly those cases related to abuse of public offices and resources. We will not disclose your name. We will protect such people because this is within our mandate”, he adds.
However, Garang Mawien, who works at the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation commended efforts of the commission describing it as positive beginning but added that the government should make public the names of those accused of corruption to promote transparency and accountability.
If people became exposed they “may stop stealing”. The only way to fight corruption was to put those responsible in prison, Mawien said.
(ST)