A section of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) lawmakers on Tuesday accused the security personnel of abuse while conducting inspections on the streets of Juba.
The lawmakers said the security agents were harassing residents while executing their mandate.
A member of SPLM-IO representing Jur River County of Western Bahr el-Ghazal State, Juma Zachariah Deng, accused the security personnel of always intimidating civilians, including diplomats, while conducting night operations.
“I’ve been monitoring for the past days and noticed that the joint forces were doing inspection every day and night. I want to know what is the purpose of these inspections?” he demanded.
“When they (security forces) stop you at night, they ask you to turn on the security light, and later ask for some money for water, normally a bribe,” he added.
Deng termed the conduct of the security forces barbaric and an abuse of the law and the directives of the Inspector General of Police, adding that most times MPs also fell victims of the harassment.
However, Nyan-Achiek Nhial, resenting Bor, Jonglei State, sided with the security personnel saying the army (joint operation) were implementing their mandate of maintaining security.
Nhial said the residents should lodge official complaints if indeed their money and other valuables were looted during the inspections.
“I want to say that this is a country of responsible people. Because we live close to the border, it is the responsibility of the Army to enforce security,” she said.
Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba, confirmed that the august House had received several reports about the conduct of the security personnel during the inspections.
The Speaker further directed the Committee for Public Order and Defense to follow-up on the issue. “These complaints have come from different quarters. So the Committee for Security and Public Order and Defense can follow up with the relevant institutions,” said the Speaker.