Police in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State say the mayor Majok Yith-Thiou Municipality and his Deputy were arrested for allegedly selling sorghum (Dura) procured by the state government to try and stabilize prices in the market.
Police confirmed that the suspects, Reech Matem and Deng Mangeth were arrested after state authority lifted their immunity.
Criminal cases opened against them are according to sections 351, 346, 124, and 84 of the South Sudan penal code Act, 2008 according to the police.
“Of course, the case was opened on the 20th after the police gathered all relevant information and it was confirmed that the mayor was the one that sold the dura to one trader. After we confirmed, the police wrote to public persecutor and public prosecutor also wrote to state authority to lift the immunity (of the suspect), and his immunity was lifted on 21st and on 22nd he was arrested,” Said Captain Guot Guot Akol, police spokesperson in Northern Bahr El Ghazal.
Captain Guot said the state government decided to import sorghum to ease the burden of increased prices on the population.
“ It’s unfortunate that few people also in the government are participating in promoting the suffering of the citizen,” he lamented.
70-truck consignment
Last month, a delegation led by Tut Gatluak Manime who is a president Salva Kiir’s advisor on National Security affairs and the governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Tong Akeen was assigned by president Salva Kiir to purchase Dura to try to stabilize prices in the market.
In June 2022, a consignment of 70 trucks fully loaded with Sorghum from Sudan’s Sennar and Northern Kordofan states arrived in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
