A number of citizens in Yei River county in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State have attributed the rampant crime in the town these days to corruption within the police force in the county which forced many people to take the law in their own hands.
In interviews, some citizens said the corruption among police force has led to slow in the legal proceedings when they report cases of crimes to the police.
“Our relation with the police was good but now if you have a problem and want the police to solve it you have to pay. If you don’t have money your problem won’t be solved,” one citizen said. “I don’t know is this the role of South Sudan police? If you have problems you go seek assistance from the government but now the government wants money from you. We who don’t have money what can we do?” she added.
They said police officers do not open cases or follow up any cases reported to them if they not been paid money, which many citizens complain about and take the law into their own hands.
Faced with widespread corruption within police forces, citizens demanded that power be given to the local administration including chiefs and religious leaders to stop crimes through local custom and traditions.