The Governor of South Sudan’s Western Lakes State, John Deng Mamer waived taxes on locally produced goods.
Speaking during a public rally at Rumbek Freedom on Monday, Deng said locally produced vegetables, firewood, among other things should not be taxed.
The governor also reduced transport fares from Rumbek to the capital, Juba and Rumbek to Wau from 7,000 SSP to 5,000 per passenger.
Mabor Chawuop, the Mayor of Rumbek Municipality told Radio Tamazuj they have already adopted governor’s orders for implementation given that the people who sell locally produced vegetables in Rumbek market are only working from hand to mouth.
“People selling local produces such as vegetables, firewood and other things are exempted from taxes because they are producing and selling them for survival, which means from hand to mouth,” he said.
On his part, the Rumbek municipality administrator, Monde Majak Wol said another government order which banned school children from doing business in Rumbek markets is also under implementation.
“The Ministry of Education in Western Lakes State has issued an order banning all children doing mobile selling of goods and we are already implementing this order in Rumbek municipality,” said Majak.
“No school children are allowed to sell commodities and goods in the market,” he added.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Adol Kok, a 40-year old vegetable seller in Rumbek Market complained that they were being beaten and forced by security forces to sit under the sun for the whole day.
“Our vegetables always get dry under the sun as we suffer too, but ever since the governor said we should not be taxed, the security forces are beating and forcing us to sit under the sun,” said Kok.
Deborah Yar Ruop, another vegetable seller, equally complained of being harassed by the security forces while working in the market.
“We sell vegetables and other local produces such as groundnuts and firewood in order to afford survival with our family,” said Yar.
But the municipal official denied beating or forcing women selling vegetables to sit beneath the scorching sun in Rumbek market.
“No woman has been beaten or forced to sit down under the sun in Rumbek market. Lack of space to accommodate all women makes them sit under one tree,” stressed Majak.
He added, “There are very many women who sell vegetables, but the space is not enough. We want them to set up their own shelters”.