The Director of Traffic at the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), Major General Kon John Akot, resumed his duties on Monday after briefly being transferred to Northern Bahr el Ghazal State as the commissioner of police.
Addressing staff at the traffic police headquarters in Juba on Monday, Gen. Akot said he built the department’s offices using his own money.
Last week, Gen. Abraham Manyuat Peter reshuffled 13 senior-most police officers in the top leadership of the service. Last Tuesday, after the list of transfers came out, Gen. Akot refuted social media rumours that he had rejected his transfer to Aweil. He also dismissed claims that he had refused to take orders from the Inspector General of Police.
Known for being controversial and combative, Gen. Kon made news in October 2023 after a public dispute with the National Legislature, which he described as “illegitimate and unregistered.” The remarks came amid a disagreement over a presidentially backed law abolishing annual vehicle logbook renewals to reduce harassment of motorists. At the time, Akot accused lawmakers of interfering in police work and refused to appear before parliament when summoned.
On Monday, he told his staff at the traffic department that no commander in the country works for the national interest; rather, he said, every commander works for his own personal gain.
He admitted to personally funding the construction of the traffic police offices and meeting rooms, noting that he owns an insurance company called “Kon Insurance”.
“This company was responsible for building traffic police offices, conference halls, furniture, and even electricity costs,” he stated.
Akot also said he had received information that he had been appointing traffic police officers from his village of Awan, a claim he rebutted.
“All the traffic police officers belong to the different tribes in South Sudan,” he said.
The officer also addressed allegations that he sexually exploits female staff at the traffic police department, saying they are false.