EDITORIAL: Gun control policy needed at work, social places
The latest shooting incident in Juba, last Wednesday, exposed the glaring security lapses and the danger that citizens are exposed to, especially at work and social places.
This unfortunate incident was a classic case of cowardice by a person who has no dignity for life. He should face the full force of the law.
The fact that lives were lost is bad enough. But more painful is the thought that it was executed by someone who should ordinarily be protecting lives.
While investigations are still ongoing, preliminary reports indicate the suspect shot his alleged wife who was in the company of a male colleague. The incident took place at Beduion Lounge, in Hai Malakal.
The husband had suspected that the two were having an illicit affair. This is yet to be proven.
Be that as it may, there is no justification to ending a life.
And while we will leave the investigating authority to unearth the truth behind the shoot and for the law to take its course, this latest incident greatly exposed the gapping danger that ordinary South Sudanese residents are exposed to the security lapses.
While we recognize the effort being put in place by the political class in ensuring sustainable peace, the truth is a lot of illegal guns are in the wrong hands.
If we truly are serious and committed to a sense of lasting peace, then this is a job that should not be left solely to the government alone. We have a civic duty, as citizens, to ensure that there is peace in this country.
When Kenya and Uganda, for example, were faced with the dragon of terrorism, the two governments ordered owners of all commercial buildings and businesses to tighten their security at the points of entrances. To date, you are most likely to be frisked at the entrances, by private security guards.
While some establishments have adopted the practice here at home, both national and state governments should ensure that it is properly implemented.
With their beeping sounds, the metal detector is a simpler and cheaper way of tightening internal security.
The government just needs to give a police document ordering all offices, entertainment joints, malls, etc, to have a guard with a metal detector at the entrance. If such an idea had been enforced by the management of Beduion Lounge, for example, perhaps, the two citizens would still be alive.
