Jonglei police dismissed for misconduct

June 14, 2012 (JUBA) – At a parade in Pakwua, Jonglei state, on Wednesday, a senior police official announced the dismissal of 21 soldiers from its ranks.

The state director for operations of brigade one in Greater Upper Nile, Matthew Mathiang Magordit, told press that 21 combat soldiers operating in the South Sudan Police Service Auxiliary Forces have being dismissed due to misconduct.

Magordit explained that some of the soldiers in question were drunk and had attempted to shoot their colleagues on more than one occasion. Others were absent from the areas which they were deployed to for up to three months.

Magordit also urged police service employees at the parade not to wear their uniforms outside their duty hours as this can make them a target for attack in public places, specifically the market. He also called upon them to attend daily parades and to return their firearms to the headquarters after each assignment.

In view of the state-wide, ongoing disarmament programme, Magordit asked that the national government offer the state security forces full support. In particular, he called for logistical support for the state police.

There are currently more than 2,000 troops working on Jonglei’s disarmament.

(ST)