Fury as boy is murdered at South Sudan minister’s home

April 6, 2013 (JUBA) – Confusion still surrounds circumstances under which a 25-year old boy was last week murdered within the premises of South Sudan’s deputy interior minister, Salva Mathok Gengdit.

“The boy [Tap] had gone do nearby shop to buy airtime on Thursday [28 March] but did not return home. Two days later, his body was found dumped just behind the house of Salva Mathok. Traces of blood also led people to the deputy minister’s home,” Charles Machieng, the ex-commissioner of Mayom county in South Sudan’s Unity state said Saturday.

The motive behind the murder, he added, still remains unclear.

Tap, a form three student at Juba Day secondary school, also served as a traffic officer, prior to his death.

Charles Lim, a brother to the deceased, described Tap as “a friendly boy who never wronged anybody at work”. He said his death has left family members devastated.

The Mayom community, in a letter seen by Sudan Tribune, strongly condemned the murder, describing as “barbaric” and “an act of tribalism”.

They further accused the deputy interior minister of allegedly “contributing to the day [and] night insecurity” in Juba, the South Sudan capital.

Sudan Tribune was unable to reach Gengdit over the incident, despite repeated attempts.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED

James Monday Enoka, the spokesperson of South Sudan police said two key
suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder.

“We have apprehended two key suspects and the case is progressing very successfully,” Enoka told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

He described the murder of the 25-year old boy as “very unique and the first of its kind,” but said police was trying its best to prevent crime and apprehend criminals distabilising citizens in the country.

(ST)