South Sudan’s security agents arrested former Juba Town Mayor Kalisto Ladu on Saturday night, according to his family.
Kalisto’s wife, Joana Andrea, told Radio Tamazuj Sunday morning that Mr Kalisto was arrested and picked up from his home by armed men in uniform and others in plain clothes on Saturday at around 11:57 pm. She said the reason for her husband’s arrest remains unclear.
“Kalisto tried to talk to them to understand the issue when they came to our home at night, but they refused to talk and started to beat Kalisto, and then they forced him into a Toyota Landcruiser vehicle full of soldiers. They came with a Toyota Landcruiser Pickup and a Noah vehicle with tinted windows, but the two vehicles were numberless,” she narrated.
When asked about the steps taken by the family, Joana said: “We have informed some leaders, including the former Central Equatoria Governor Gen. Augustino Jadallah and religious leaders like Bishop Santo, about what had happened. I have also opened a case with the police this morning. I urge the leaders to follow up to know Kalisto’s whereabouts. This issue should not be left to us alone as a family because Kalisto was once a leader for all,” she said.
Joana called on the concerned authorities to inform the family about Kalisto’s whereabouts. “I hope that God will be with Kalisto,” she said.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that former Mayor Kalisto Ladu had been arrested, without providing more details.
“Yes, Kalisto was arrested. He [Kalisto] might be with the National Security Service; he is not in our detention as police,” said Justin.
Security agents might have been irked by Kalisto’s recent speech during a funeral rites service in the Atlabara neighbourhood of Juba, where he decried land-grabbing practices in Central Equatoria State. He also appealed to Equatorians to fight for their rights and speak out against what he termed “injustice.”
Kalisto, an influential, outspoken politician, was removed from his position as mayor of Juba City Council by Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony in November 2021 after spending eight months in office.
Kalisto’s removal from office at the time caused protests on social media and virtual campaigns to reinstate him.