By Hou Akot Hou
Police in Northern Bahr El Ghazal (NBG) state are probing into the case of six suspects accused of stealing bales of mosquito nets, on Saturday.
One of the police officers Dut Garang Deng told this outlet that they have remanded the suspects after a report from the Ministry of health.
He said the suspects are being interrogated to find out why they hid the bales which were being distributed free of charge as donation from UNICEF through Malaria Consortium Organization.
“We are holding 3 in Aweil town and the other three are being caught also in Aweil South County. Our role is to implement the rule of law” he said.
Individuals tasked with the responsibility to distribution of mosquito nets meant for combating malaria, are taking advantage of the absence of ministry of health staff, to steal at night.
The state Coordinator for malaria project in the ministry of health, Anok Dut, confirmed that they have heard of the stolen bales in Aweil Town and South Counties.
“They are going to bear the brunt of stealing the donated items” she warned.
He stressed that Malaria kills but “our people are not mindful of this problem.”
“During rainy season mosquitoes eat up our people by biting a lot which causes malaria. If UNICEF and Malaria Consortium stepped in to give free nets, why not take advantage of that chance” she added.
The distribution of mosquito nets was rolled out two weeks ago and many reports emerged that many people have been spotted selling them in the markets and some people knit local beds with the nets.
Authorities have always warned people against selling the nets or use them for other purposes than using them for combating malaria.