By William Madouk
A lawmaker in the national parliament withdrew a motion regarding the issue of a printing machine used for making fake U.S. dollars and South Sudanese pounds that was confiscated by national security in Western Equatoria State.
According to the House agenda, MP Wek Mamer Kuol was scheduled to present a motion on “counterfeiting South Sudanese currency and other foreign currencies in Western Equatoria state.”
But before he hit the podium, MP Joseph Ikarak, who rose on point of procedure said that regulations 63, 54.1 and 62.1 of conduct of business doesn’t allow cases that are still under probe to be discussed.
“On 62.1 the national security had apprehended the culprits and the legal procedures or proceedings are under way. So, by discussing this case [motion] you are putting the cart before the horse,” he said.
“So, you should wait and when the criminal proceedings are done and we hear what is it then we can proceed with the case,” MP added.
He continued “Rt Hon. Speaker on 63 and 54.1, you have already referred this case to the committee of National Security and Public Order, it is hardly a week and we have not heard from the committee.”
When speaker was about to give Wek Mamer Kuol to withdraw his motion, the House burst into rejection as many lawmakers misinterpreted that he might continue with a motion despites procedure.
That prompted another MP Kuom Kuom Deng to state that “what I found I very clear and is inconsistent with our law, if the case is before the court, then another authority like assembly should not interfere in the case.”
“And therefore, when I made consultation – it’s the owner of the motion to come and stand before the House to withdraw the motion,” Kuom explained.
Also, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba clarified “I told you, give him a chance because he is going to report to the House on what he got from the Committee and he is the one to withdraw the motion and tell you the finding from the committee of security.”
Addressing the House, MP Wek Mamer Kuol, who was upset by his colleagues’ uproar before rescinding said if not for his respect, he would have maintained his stands to proceeds with his motions.
“I move to suspend my motion titled ‘motion on counterfeiting South Sudan Note and other foreign currencies for period of two weeks from today.”
“This is what I can do up to this stage, but in the event that there is no progress in the case my motion will be activated immediately after fourteen days.”
In June, the National Security Forces from Juba apprehended three suspects in possession of a machine for printing counterfeit U.S. dollars in Western Equatoria State.
The arrest took place in an unfinished building associated with the area governor, Alfred Futuyo.
According to the report by the Acting Director of Public Relations at the National Internal Security Bureau, George Luate, the suspects are key administrators in the governor’s office.
The press statement identified them as William Juma Jamal and Alex Martin.
“The arrests took place in an unfinished building linked to the governor, which the suspects allegedly used for their illicit activities, while the suspects are officers in the governor’s office, their actions were not connected to the administration,” he said.
Mr. Digi suggested that the incident was a set-up by individuals aiming to tarnish Governor Futuyo’s image and leadership.