The governor of Warrap State, General Aleu Ayieny Aleu, over the weekend suspended the Tonj South County Commissioner, Marco Agor Malang, to pave way for the investigation of the latter over a shooting incident.
The suspension came after Commissioner Agor allegedly shot a national security officer in the leg after the former was called in to deal with a drunken altercation the security officer instigated at Lakhan Hotel in Tonj Town on 27 May.
In a suspension letter dated 28 May seen by Radio Tamazuj, Governor Aleu lifted the commissioner’s immunity and suspended him from work.
“This is to notify you that your immunity and duty are lifted and suspended respectively,” the letter read. “The police and Attorney General in Tonj South are hereby ordered to take appropriate legal procedures against you and present you to court for the alleged shooting of Citizen John Lemon on the night of 27 May 2022.”
According to Gen. Aleu’s suspension letter, the cartridges were discharged by the weapon of the commissioner.
“The victim who was medevac (sic) to Juba with previous gunshot injuries has been operated upon and the bullet that penetrated to his chest (right) lacerating his liver and puncturing his left kidney is from a 9 mm caliber pistol,” he wrote. “Since you were the only one with such a weapon on the scene of the crime, then you have to face the law accordingly.”
Commissioner Agor confirmed his suspension and said he was directed not to talk to the media.
“I cannot give a statement now because I am asked not to talk to any media houses and I am good here in Tonj. Yes, the incident happened in Tonj town and I am safe,” he said.
Meanwhile, Riing Deng Ading, the Warrap State information minister said indicted commissioner is being guarded by the military pending trial.
“The commissioner of Tonj South was accused of shooting a security personnel by the name John Mawien Anyuon on Friday last week and on Saturday his immunity was lifted and he was suspended by the governor,” he said. “When an investigation is done and he is found guilty, he will appear in court. The commissioner is in a safe place and is being guarded by the military.”