Former county commissioner arrested in Rumbek

A former county commissioner was arrested in South Sudan’s Western Lakes State last week, his relative said.

A former county commissioner was arrested in South Sudan’s Western Lakes State last week, his relative said.

Enock Makuoch, the former commissioner of Meen County, was arrested by national security forces in Rumbek town last Tuesday, the relative told Radio Tamazuj.

The relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there is no official information from the authorities why Enock was arrested. 

On his part, Western Lakes’ information minister Isaac Majak confirmed the former commissioner had been detained in the state.

Majak, who is also the state government spokesman, said:” Enock had caused a lot of problems when he was the commissioner of Meen County. He used to coordinate activities with cattle raiders.”

“The state government had requested him to return stolen cows to their rightful owners in Southern Liech State when Matur Chut was still the state governor…The new governor has also received complaints from citizens about him, “he said.

He explained that the former local official was being accused of inciting communities for violence. The state minister said two young men were also arrested by national security agents.

The official said an investigation of the case was underway.

Enock Makuoch was removed from his position in November 2018.

South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution requires detainees to be produced before a court within 24 hours.