Lakes state governor orders arrest of airline staff
November 2, 2014 (RUMBEK) – Three Supreme airline staff were on Saturday arrested allegedly on orders from Lakes state governor, Matur Chut Dhuol.
Dhuol had restricted Bol from leaving the state, but gave no explanation on why he imposed such orders on the legislator.
Supreme airline officials, however, claimed they had not been notified by security organs regarding the imposed the travel ban.
A senior officer attached to Rumbek central police confirmed the incident, identifying those arrested as the airline’s operations manager, Thon Mabor, staff Abraham Rhun and James Malual.
The airline, in a statement, condemned the act and called for their immediate release.
Meanwhile, the families of two MPs arrested in Lakes State are demanding justice for their relatives. Their families have condemned their arrest, saying they should either be charged or released. Marik Nanga Marik and Isaac Makur Buoc Apac are taken to Nyang prison in Yirol East county, and their immunity ignored by parliament.
In recent months, the police and members of the public have been at loggerheads, amid claims that the various communities have become increasingly disobedient towards law enforcement agents.
Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for Dhuol’s removal over claims of failure to control violence, but president Salva Kiir has ignored such calls.
Lakes state has been blighted by ongoing cattle raiding since South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 and continues to be locked in a deadly cycle of inter-clan revenge clashes.
Dhuol was appointed the caretaker governor by president Kiir in January 2013 replacing his elected predecessor, Chol Tong Mayay.
(ST)