S. Sudanese security arrest Freevoice staff in Juba

October 11, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese security agents have arrested a South African national working for Freevoice South Sudan, a day after being summonsed by the information ministry.

De Wet Spies, the acting country representative for Freevoice South Sudan, was reportedly arrested from their Juba office in Nimra Talata area on Friday evening.

“He was summoned on Thursday to appear at the office of the director of information, Paul Jacob. He (Jacob) told De Wet that Freevoice was doing good things, but were involved in Radio Tamazuj [which] is a ‘very bad radio station,’” a source told Sudan Tribune by phone.

“They agreed that the ministry would send a letter. But the letter never came and they instead brought security guys to arrest him (spies),” added the source who preferred not to be identified.

Security agents were reportedly irked by Radio Tamajuz’s recent reports on the controversial National Security Bill passed on Wednesday amidst protest from opposition MPs. The bill allows security operatives to detain, make unauthorised arrest of suspects, monitor frequencies, wireless system, publication, broadcasting station and postal services to prevent any form of misuse.

Freevoice, an international non-governmental entity legally registered in the country, operates separately from Radio Tamazuj, but both are situated within the same premise in Juba.

(ST)