South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The South Sudan Police Service is investigating two suspected police officers in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Saturday evening along Ministries’ Road, near the state palace commonly known as J1, resulting in the death of a young man.
On Saturday evening, Garang Simon Dhieu, a security officer at Pyramid Continental Hotel, was shot dead around 11 pm near J1 by suspected police operatives on a motorcycle while he was heading home.
Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka, spokesperson for the South Sudan National Police Service, confirmed that an investigation is underway involving two suspects in the shooting.
“The criminal case has been opened and the investigation is ongoing. The suspects, who are members of the police, are being examined, and the facts will be established through the investigation before any decisions are made,” Maj. Gen. Enoka said in an interview on Monday.
“That incident occurred on the main road at J1. It is an unfortunate incident, and mistakes are not immunity under the law. Regardless of whether there was a mistake or not, there must be an investigation to establish the facts,” he added.
Enoka, while briefing the public about a gang rape case that occurred last week in Gumbo-Shirikat, reported that seven suspects have been arrested, with one still at large.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, expressed concern over the incident, stating that the slain young man was a peacemaker and a professional advocate. He voiced his worry that the perpetrators might evade accountability.
“Whatever mistake might have occurred at that particular checkpoint does not justify any law enforcement officer shooting and killing him. We condemn that act,” Yakani said.
“We appreciate that the individual who shot Garang has been arrested. We will be monitoring the situation. Let this incident serve as a lesson to the leadership of our law enforcement regarding discipline and conduct in the use of firearms,” he concluded.
