The Central Equatoria State Security Committee on Tuesday instructed the Juba City Council (JCC) to conduct thorough inspections of water tankers to enhance hygiene in water supply.
This directive comes in response to a sharp increase in cholera cases across the state’s counties.
Last week, the Central Equatoria State Council of Ministers urged the public to remain vigilant and take all necessary preventive measures against the outbreak.
According to the state ministry of health, the current cumulative cases have reached 5,317, with Juba County and Juba City Council reporting 4,708 cases, Terekeka recording 609, and Yei and Kajo-Keji each reporting one case. The total number of deaths stands at 79, with a fatality rate of 1.5 percent.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday after the security meeting chaired by Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani, Leone Abe Brown, State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, said the security committee has instructed the leadership of Juba City Council to conduct severe inspections of water tanks to curb the spread of the disease. He emphasized the urgency of public cooperation in maintaining cleanliness and adhering to strict hygiene protocols, especially with the rainy season approaching.
“Juba City Council and Juba County should intensify their efforts to ensure that all water tanks are thoroughly inspected,” Abe stated. “Clean water is a fundamental necessity, and we will not tolerate negligence in its distribution.”
The state government reiterated its call on all residents to remain vigilant, report hygiene violations, and uphold sanitation standards to prevent further escalation of the cholera outbreak.
According to Minister Abe, as part of a continued crackdown on public health violations, security forces have arrested a butcher at the Customs Market for selling dog meat. He said the suspect is under investigation, and authorities have been directed to apprehend anyone involved in such dangerous practices.
“Some elements were caught live by our security men butchering a dog to be roasted, and we do not want this to happen,” he said. “If anyone is trying to cheat our people by doing such activities, we, the security committee, condemn it and we are urging our security organs to double efforts and arrest such activities.”