Juba mayor cautions security forces against unlawful detention in city sectors
Juba’s Caretaker Mayor, Christopher Sarafino Wani Swaka, has warned security personnel deployed in residential areas against unlawfully detaining suspected criminals in city security sectors, directing them to transfer suspects to police stations for appropriate legal procedures.
The warning follows an encounter during the mayor’s inspection tour in Nyakuron West, commonly known as Number Three, on Saturday morning, when he appeared to find a young man seated by the roadside alongside a soldier.
Swaka questioned why a person suspected of committing a crime was being held at a security sector rather than being taken to a police station for further investigation and legal processing.
The security sectors deployed across residential areas of Juba involve personnel from different institutions, including the police, Military Intelligence and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), as part of efforts to strengthen security in the capital.
Addressing security personnel at the scene, Swaka warned that those holding suspects outside appropriate legal procedures could be held accountable if a detainee died in their custody.
“You have no right to keep someone who is suspected of a crime for 24 hours here in the sector. According to the law, you are not allowed because you are not here to carry out police duty or the prosecution procedure. The law doesn’t allow you to detain any person. If any person dies here, you will be held responsible. Do you want to take responsibility?” Swaka said.
He urged security personnel to respect the law, protect human life and ensure that suspects are transferred to the appropriate police stations for investigation and other lawful procedures.
The remarks come amid efforts to strengthen security operations in Juba’s residential neighbourhoods.
On October 15, the Integrated Criminal Police (ICT) introduced a new security arrangement at Mabil Checkpoint following security concerns raised by residents.
The arrangement included the establishment of Sector Seven and the formation of a committee led by Lieutenant Colonel Mayen Kuol to reorganise the existing six sectors, redeploy personnel and strengthen operations in identified security hotspots across the city.
Swaka’s warning highlights the need for security operations in residential areas to be accompanied by lawful arrest and detention procedures, clear accountability and respect for the rights of suspects.
