By Lodu William Odiya
Warrap State has arrested 14 officials from the State Revenue Authority for illegally opening Tharkueng Bridge checkpoint.
They were arrested by members of South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) 11th Infantry Division
In an interview with No. 1 Citizen Newspaper yesterday, Information Minister Mamer Bath confirmed the arrests.
“That was not a rumor; it was a confirmed case. Fourteen revenue staff members were arrested almost two weeks ago,” he said.
Mamer explained that, as declared during the governor’s forum, all checkpoints must be closed, and the implementation was ongoing.
“They were actually following the president’s orders, but there was a misunderstanding regarding the type of checkpoint. The president only stated that all these checkpoints must be shut down, except for bridge checkpoints, which must continue operating. That’s where the confusion arose,” Mr. Bath highlighted.
He stated that the detained staff were in the custody of Division 11 in Majandit, adding that efforts were being made to secure their release.
In January, the SSPDF said they had dismantled all checkpoints along major roads across the country following a directive from President Salva Kiir.
The checkpoints, including illegal ones, were faulted for extorting traders and travellers and skyrocketing commodity prices.
Earlier this year, SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang reassured the public that while illegal checkpoints have been removed, the army is maintaining surveillance through strategic patrols to ensure safety along the highways.
“We are monitoring the roads, and patrols will continue where needed,” he explained.
As South Sudan navigates the complex balance between improving road access and ensuring security, the public remains divided on the implications of this policy shift.