Over 100 prisoners awaiting trial in Lakes state

March 27, 2013 (RUMBEK) – At least 154 people who were arrested after a crack down following last year’s inter-clan violence in South Sudan’s Lake state are awaiting trial, the caretaker governor, Matur Chut Dhuol has said.

Many Lakes state citizens have expressed unhappiness at the governor’s hard line security policies, since he was temporarily placed in charge early this year.

It is understood that the arrested men have had no clear charges placed against them and have in most cases not had access to lawyers, human rights officials and their families say.

Communities in South Sudan’s troubled central state, however, say the true number of those arrested is far higher.

While addressing listeners on the United Nations-sponsored Radio Miraya, Dhuol said the 54 young men being held at Langcok military prison have been charged with road robbery.

Another 100 young men, from the Kok section of the Dinka ethnic group are reportedly being held in connection with inter-communal violence that occurred in February. 10 other young men are also being held on suspicion of involvement in a raid on a cattle camp in neighbouring Warrap state.

Those charged with murder, sources told Sudan Tribune, are being kept in Langcok military prison and are not granted access to any visitors. Currently, even Rumbek’s main correctional prison service reportedly allows little access to parents and others to visit their sons.

However, governor Dhuol said two new prisons are being established in Rumbek to deal with the large number of arrests.

His predecessor, Chol Tong Mayay, set up six special courts to deal with the huge case load, but the governor did not explain whether they are functioning or not.

To address insecurity, the governor has asked all civilian gun owners to register their weapons and pay a fee of between 150 – 350 South Sudan Pounds (approx $40-80).

Those who ignore the order could face arrest, three years imprisonment, and a 5,000 SSP fine, according to the governor’s scheme, but it is remains unclear on what legal basis he came up with the plan, without new legislation.

Dhuol recently also told Lakes state’s lawmakers to stop discussing politics.

The guilty person who kills another person intentionally will pay 51 cows and that person killed in confrontation will be compensated with 31 cows, under the Dinka costmary law.

Lakes state inhabitants have accused South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir Mayardit and the state governor for ruling Lakes state with marshal law.

South Sudan’s president is also being criticised for having undermine the constitution as 60 days has elapsed since Dhuol replaced the previous governor and a new election has not been held.

Sudan Tribune‘s sources indicate that Kiir will travel to Rumbekon Sunday to deliver his Easter address and speak about the security reform measures underway in Lakes state.

(ST)