Police probe disappearance of three people in Central Equatoria
December 2, 2014 (YEI/JUBA) – South Sudanese police are probing circumstances under which three people mysteriously disappeared from Yei county in Central Equatoria state last week.
Local officials and military sources have already provided conflicting accounts, which the latter linking the trio to army desertions.
“What I know about Mawa Malish Isaac is that he deserted and it could be the same for the rest because I am told they were collected by their units. Mawa is from commando and the others are new recruits,” a military source told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.
He claimed the three were active members of the army before they deserted, an allegation their family members and relatives disputed.
“It is now seven days when close relatives saw him (Isaac) tied hand to hand with another person escorted with five unknown gunmen at around 5.30pm (local time) on Monday, 24 November 2014, along [the] crop training centre route that leads to Hai Tarawa and Hai Peace. The two of the unknown gunmen carried guns covered in raincoat like attire while the rest seemed to be carrying pistols,” partly reads the strongly-worded petition signed by 13 family members.
“After passing Woke Bayi market centre, they headed to their vehicle which was parked about 200 metres away from the market and whisked them away,” it added.
Eyewitnesses and family members said they saw a military pick-up with commando uniform colours near the Hai Tarawa area in Yei.
The whereabouts of one Juma Samuel, who reportedly left two visitors at his house at around 2.00pm the same day, remains unknown till now.
“As a family, we have a confidence in the leadership of municipality and the county at large, regarding the matters of security. However, we are saddened by the slow process of letting us know his whereabouts and why he was abducted,” the petition said.
Family members said they were in the dark with completely no information about Isaac, who routinely requires medical attention.
“As concerned citizens, we would also appeal to you to avail information to the relatives of the two individuals who disappeared on the same date with Mawa Malish Isaac because the pain we are bearing could be same with their loved ones,” noted the petition.
Maj. Gen. Hennery Damnima, the commissioner of Central Equatoria police said authorities were reaching out to relevant institutions and people to establish the facts before making any public statement.
“I heard this incident and we are contacting relevant institutions to find out what information they have about the whereabouts of these people and to know exactly what caused the arrest,” he told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, adding, “When we have complete information, we shall revert to you and the general public”.
ACTIVISTS CONDEMN ACT
A South Sudanese civil society body strongly condemned the manner in which citizens were being mistreated, citing the rampant cases of abductions across the country.
“This trend is worrying and we are disturbed by the trend of individuals disappearing of recent in South Sudan. This trend is increasing and CEPO is urging South Sudan National Police Services to take measures against this trend,” said Edmund Yakani, the executive director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO).
Yakani said vocal lawmakers and certain individuals were among those affected.
“CEPO has being tracking this trend and up to now the numbers of the persons being abducted by gunmen is on the raise,” he told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
“It seems certain individuals are abusing state powers accorded to law enforcers,” he added.
(ST)