Bodyguard of SPLA Major General killed in Juba

November 25, 2012 (JUBA) – A bodyguard of a senior member of South Sudan’s army (SPLA) was killed on Thursday when an unknown gunmen attacked the house of Major General Malek Reuben in the capital Juba.

On Saturday the body of the bodyguard who was killed on Thursday was flown to Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, where its was met by his family and the Commander of the SPLAs sixth division.

In June another of Reuben’s bodyguards was killed in a similar attack on his house. Police arrested some suspects at the time but they were all released without charge.

So far no arrests have been made in connection to the shooting but SPLA Colonel Wildi Akec urged the relatives of the deceased to remain calm, assuring them that the gunmen will face the law.

Akec said that the second attack showed that June’s attack was “no accident”, although he admitted that the army does not know the reason why Major General Malek Reuben is being targeted.

However, he criticized the “neglect” of the police for releasing the suspects originally arrested after July’s incident.

Many people in Lakes State have sent messages of condolence to the family of deceased and urged that justice be done.

(ST)