A prosecution witness, South African digital forensic expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi, on Monday told the special court trying suspects in the Nasir Incident that suspended Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, the first accused, had access to real-time intelligence during the deadly fighting in Nasir Town in March 2025.
The claims surfaced during re-examination of the expert by lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa at Freedom Hall on Monday in Juba. Rafadi said Puot Kang Chol was not only involved in logistical and financial support but also received intelligence updates related to events before and during the fighting.
“For instance, on 14 and 15 February 2025, those extracted messages showed Mr. Puot Kang Chol receiving real-time intelligence from Mr. Mam Pal Dhuor, second accused,” Rafadi said.
He stated that an extracted WhatsApp message from Puot Kang’s phone indicated that there was operational awareness and monitoring of the Nasir incident even before 3 March 2025.
“…in my analysis, the extracted data demonstrate early operational awareness and monitoring of the Nasir incident even before 3 March 2025,” he said.
Rafadi claimed Puot Kang also received battlefield intelligence from James Chuol Tharijath, which included the movement of helicopters for military operations and the mobilization of the White Army toward Doma and other areas to attack advancing military barges.
“Another extracted message on page 10 of the first accused, he communicated with Hoc Dor Chol to buy ammunition, demonstrating involvement in logistics preparation on 22 February 2025,” he said. “On 1 March 2025, Gok Lual communicated with Puot Kang to advise on the alternative use of other phones instead of the normal phone. It demonstrates the secrecy and the need to avoid detection by law enforcement.”
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng formally adjourned the hearing to Friday, 24 April 2026, for judges to examine the expert.
Suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, 73, who is under house arrest, faces several charges, including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, and crimes against humanity. His co-accused are in National Security Service (NSS) detention.
Prosecutors allege that forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and allied White Army militia under Dr. Machar’s command killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) officers and men, including garrison commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about USD 58 million in an attack on Nasir in March 2025.
The seven accused who are facing trial are Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
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