Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, former governor of Western Equatoria state has accused Gbudue authorities of confiscating his personal property, forcing him to call for an investigation and immediate return of the property to his family.
”I am at the same time dismayed with the behavior of the state government of Gbudue that has decided to confiscate my private properties. I did not steal any money from anybody to build for myself and my children. Any confiscation of my private properties is an attack on me and my entire family members” he said.
Bakosoro doubted which laws the state government used to confiscate individual private property, adding that whoever issued that order should reconsider. He was protesting decision of the national security in collaboration with the state administration to close down Venom beach was confiscated and handed over to the state ministry of Information, Culture, youth and sports.
A state cabinet minister confirmed on Thursday when reached to comment on the matter, saying revenues generated from the property are used to support youth activities, including organizing for meetings, trainings and sporting events. The official did not provide any explanation justifying the reason for which the property was confiscated. He said the decision was “political and beyond his purview” to provide comments on the matter.
“You know our politics in South Sudan is never based on facts. It is based on imaginary things. So, let us leave this as it is. What I can say to you is that yes, the venom beach has been confiscated. Don’t ask why. I will not give you the answer, the official said on Thursday.
He did not say under which law the property was confiscated, failing to answer Bakosoro’s question.
”I don’t know which law allows for my private properties to be taken by anybody including the government. Whoever has given such order should think twice before issuing such order. I don’t have any money laundry record that warrants any of my properties to be confiscated. If there is any such record, it shall be produced during hearing one day” he added
The former governor called for an investigation into the confiscation of the property and immediate return to his family, despite being away from home. He warned future repercussions if his belongings are not returned. ”I advise that even if I am not in the country, no law prevents me from processing property. Such behaviors warrant necessary investigation or otherwise return my property back to my children to avoid future repercussions”
” Poverty should not be used as a law to confiscate private property of any body. All we do are for our children so that they don’t suffer. Being absent should not be used as an excuse to take any private property. Nobody is above the law” The former governor said. He did not say when the property was confiscated.