The police in Juba on Tuesday apprehended nine suspects in the Gumbo suburb east of the city on suspicion of drug dealing, witchcraft, and others found in possession of dangerous weapons.
The operation led by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Atem Marol Biar also netted a Ugandan witch doctor, his two aids, and their ‘patient.’
In another operation in the same area, the police also arrested five suspected gangsters in possession of machetes of knives and drugs including opium, ice, and marijuana among others.
Speaking to the press after the arrests, Police Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin Buolo congratulated the police force for arresting the criminals and keeping the public. He said criminals use magical charms on their victims.
“I want to congratulate our police forces for being persistent in carrying out operations against criminals. As you have seen and heard, these are the things taking place in our society against our norms and ethics,” he said. “These are things done to deceive people that when you go to witch doctors, your situation will change. That if you miss your husband, if you want money or a job, you can go there.”
“The same applied to this man who was deceived that whenever he wants to go and steal, he uses the charms to take things without being seen or arrested but now we have seen the police manage to arrest them with all their things and bring them to book to serve as an example for others.” Maj Gen. Justin added.
For his part, Juba City Council Deputy Mayor Thiik Thiik Mayardit said the witch doctors have been deceiving people that their medicines treat ailments.
“This lady is from Uganda and she is using those (witchcraft) things for spoiling homes and some of the people and also cheating people that if you are a very old man and have erectile dysfunction, she can give you medicine,” he said. “This is not correct. Something God created cannot be done again so this is cheating that has come to spoil the houses of the people of South Sudan which we are not going to allow.”
Thiik said that one of the women admitted to being a witch doctor.
“She accepted that she came here to make money but please leave the people of South Sudan alone,” he added.