A new murder case renews doubts about security in Juba
Juma Robert Edward, an administrator of Eden Transport Company, was robbed and shot to death over the weekend in Nyakuron, an area that has seen an increase in night time violence, according to authorities.
Edward, whose company provides public transport, courier and money transfer services across South Sudan, was allegedly killed by a man in a police uniform, who later disappeared within the vicinity of a nearby police unit, eye witnesses said.
Police in Juba come under attack for failing to apprehend criminals using their uniforms. Edward and another colleague were traveling to another branch and carrying 140,000 SSPs, US$ 3,000 and one million Ugandan shillings, according to Festo Guya, the company’s managing director. The money has not been found.
I don’t know what the future of the country will be,” said Guya. We are not well secured if people in uniform are the ones involved in such incidents.”
Another staff member at the company branch in Yei town was killed six months ago and robbed of cash and a laptop by unknown gunman, while on his way to work one morning.
This latest incident comes on the heels of related killings in Nyakuron area. A Ugandan Boda Boda rider, Anthony Sengendo from Mityana district -— a Liberian national and his pregnant wife -— were recently shot under unclear circumstances.
Emmanuel Khamis Richard, Director of the Community Security Volunteer Network.
The Director of the Community Security Volunteer Network, Emmanuel Khamis Richard, condemned the gruesome killings.
Richard said remarks by the Minister of Interior, Alison Manani Magaya, blaming foreigners for the incidents, were baseless, adding that the institution should instead clean itself up.
You cannot see a foreigner just seated but doing work and they are instead scared for their businesses and life‚” Richard said.
Authorities in Juba have called upon the population in the capital and its suburbs to remain vigilant in fighting cases of insecurity and other forms of crime.
The Minister of Information and government spokesman, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, has said citizens should help security forces in curbing the alarming rate of crime.
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Authorities struggle to keep burgeoning towns safeIf you see abnormal things, it is also your duty to report to police, to see that criminals are apprehended, said Benjamin.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit lashed out at the police this week for failing to arrest criminals, cautioning that some errant personnel could be part of the gangs.
Kiir was speaking during a graduation ceremony of over 100 customs police officers at Buluk in Juba.
