10 clergymen who were recently arrested in the Jonglei State capital, Bor for defying the government ban on public gatherings have been released, a senior police officer said.
The church leaders were arrested for holding church services on Palm Sunday.
Last month, South Sudan’s government banned major public events to stop the new coronavirus from spreading across the country.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Police Commissioner Major General Joseph Mayen Akoon said the church leaders were released by a court in Bor town.
“We arrested and took them to court, but the bench court of Bor released them. They were fined only 500 SSP each,” Mayen said.
He added, “I want residents and the pastors to be serious. This time, we will not spare anyone. We will have presence in the court to ensure that those who will be charged are punished accordingly.”
The police officer urged church leaders to help the government in ensuring citizens observe precautionary measures against COVID-19.
South Sudan has recorded four cases of the new coronavirus.