Sherikat: The Gangsters’ Paradise
Latest attack on freelance journalist sparks fresh fears over organized crime in Juba’s suburbs, with urgent calls for community-led policing and stronger security action.
By Samuel Yuang
elements in the once -peaceful Juba surburb. [Photo: Courtesy]
What was meant to be an ordinary walk home turned into a harrowing encounter for freelance journalist Deng Chuol, highlighting a growing crisis that threatens not only public safety but also Juba’s status as South Sudan’s commercial and administrative heart.
On Friday evening, Deng, a freelance reporter for the Associated Press and a resident of Sherikat West, was ambushed at his gate by more than ten gang members. Dressed mostly in black and with their faces concealed, the attackers demanded his phones and tablet. Deng complied without resistance. Yet, in a disturbing act of cruelty, they struck him on the head with a sharp object, leaving him with severe bleeding.
After the assault, the gangsters fled in different directions using the feeder roads. Deng was unable to identify any of his assailants due to their disguises.
He reported the incident at Gumbo Police Station and was issued Form 8, a requirement for accessing medical care. Though advised to go to Juba Teaching Hospital, Deng sought immediate treatment at a local Sherikat clinic. The wounds were stitched, and he is currently recovering while awaiting further tests to rule out internal injuries.
“I’m grateful to God that my life was saved,” Deng said. “But this should not be happening. Sherikat is no longer safe, even in daylight.”
His story is not isolated. Residents speak in hushed tones of a shadowy network of organized gangs, operating with increasing confidence in the Sherikat area and beyond. The unchecked violence is fast turning once-peaceful neighborhoods into criminal enclaves.
The rise of organized crime in Sherikat points to a deeper social rot. Chronic youth unemployment, poverty, lack of structured recreational opportunities, and weak enforcement of law and order have created fertile ground for gang recruitment and criminal enterprise.
Deng noted that many victims of such attacks suffer in silence, either out of fear or a belief that reporting will yield no results. He also highlighted the prohibitive cost of Form 8, reportedly around 15,000 SSP, as a barrier to emergency treatment for assault victims.
“People are being injured and dying in silence because they can’t afford to access urgent medical care. That’s unacceptable. Saving lives should never be conditional on money or paperwork,” he said.
The growing boldness of gangs poses a serious threat not just to individuals but also to the broader business and investment climate in Juba. No city can thrive under the shadow of lawlessness. If residents, business owners, and professionals alike are unsafe, the promise of growth, stability, and recovery remains a distant dream.
To address the crisis, residents and security experts are calling for the urgent implementation of community-based security initiatives, particularly the popular East African concept of “Nyumba Kumi”, Swahili for “Ten Houses.” Under this model, neighbors form tight-knit security networks to monitor local activity, report suspicious behavior, and support police efforts through mutual accountability and vigilance.
“Nyumba Kumi is about reclaiming our streets from criminals by knowing what’s happening around us,” said a local elder who asked not to be named. “We need to return to that spirit of community protection, where we look out for one another.”
The fight against organized crime cannot be left to law enforcement alone. It must involve civil society, faith leaders, traditional chiefs, youth groups, and ordinary residents, all united in purpose. Without a coordinated response, Sherikat risks becoming a symbol of state failure and an open wound at the heart of the nation’s capital.
As Deng recovers, his case should not be treated as an isolated tragedy, but as a rallying cry. Juba must act. The authorities must restore security. And communities must rise.
Before Sherikat becomes a paradise lost, it must become the epicenter of reform
