Inmate tells of mistreatment in Lakes state military prison
June 13, 2013 (RUMBEK) – A former inmate of Lakes state’s controversial Langcok military prison has told Sudan Tribune of the traumatic three months he spent in the secret jail.
Recalling his ordeal, Mathew Malok, who is a tobacco grower, was unable to hold back tears as he accused South Sudan’s ruling party of betraying the values of freedom they fought for in the civil war and not caring what the public things of their actions.
Malok says he was arrested by soldiers who beat and mistreated him, accusing him of killing a man in during inter-communal clashes in Awaclual.
“I told them I have never join any clashes since all cycle of inter-communal clashes but [the] soldiers were setup to [be] harsh on people without following rule of law” said Malok.
Despite protesting his innocence and there not being any evidence the allegations, Malok claims that he was tortured on a daily basis during his three month imprisonment. Malok told Sudan Tribune that he was “denied water for bathing”, was not allowed to use the toilet and was beaten by soldiers until he urinated himself.
He questioned whether Salva Kiir knew what the consequences of his decision introduce a caretaker military governor earlier this year had been to the people of Lakes state.
Malok added that at the military prison “you are beaten like a dog and your family plus lawyers are not allowed to see you.” Some of the men who have escaped Langcok prison have claimed they were released after bribing the soldiers who were guarding them.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune in Mabor-Akan cattle camp, Malok said he had resumed his tobacco farming, which he said was the only source of income for his family. Malok’s income from farming supports 17 dependents, including paying for school fees for five students.
At the last election Malok said that he voted for the ruling SPLM because his relatives had died in the civil war that resulted in South Sudan’s independence. He added that during the 2010 election, Lakes state’s SPLM politicians promised to provide free schooling but three years on he still paying school fees.
He also pointed out that the governor he voted for, Chol Tong Mayay, had been sacked by president Salva Kiir in January this year after an increase in cattle raiding related violence.
Politics in Lakes state has been in turmoil since Mayay was replaced by caretaker military governor, Matur Chut Dhuol.
Many citizens have complained about Dhuol’s tough stance on security issues, accusing him of implementing martial law and holding young men without charge in secret military prisons without access to lawyers or their families.
Dhuol’s critics have also pointed out that under South Sudan’s interim constitution an election should have been held 60 days after the caretaker governor appointed. This deadline passed on 21 March and no plans have been announced to hold an election before the 2015 national elections to the disappointment of many activists.
Makol pointed out that the people being targeted by Duol’s government were voters for SPLM, who were becoming disillusioned with the former rebel group turned ruling party.
He asked that president Kiir come to Rumbek and explain to the population why his soldiers were being allowed to violate the constitution and the human rights of citizens. People need to know whether what is happening in Lakes state is the will of the SPLM in order for people to chose who to vote for a the next election, he said.
The criticism generated by the army’s treatment of civilians in Lakes state has prompted angry response from some senior SPLM politicians, with the deputy governor of Lakes state, Mabor Achol Kuer, threatening in April to “crucify” critical journalists and activists.
(ST)