‘Undercover state security agents’ threatening boda-boda riders – activist
Some boda-boda riders are reporting threats, harassment, and intimidation from fellow colleagues claiming to be state security agents, a civil society activist says.
In a statement extended to The City Review, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said some motorcyclists who boldly spoke about corruption were being harassed.
The activist was reacting to a decision by the Assistant Inspector General of National Traffic Police, Akok Noon Akok, to revoke a controversial order imposing hefty fines on motorists for breaching traffic rules.
“CEPO wants to bring to the attention of the IGP office that some boda-boda riders who did a peaceful demonstration dated 12th January 2022 petitioning the Central Equatoria State leadership over corruption practices are reporting cases of harassment, intimidation and life-threatening by their fellow boda-boda riders who claimed to be state security officers,” Yakani said Sunday.
He added that “This issue requires a quick response from the leadership of the IGP office”.
Meanwhile, Yakani also thanked the police for being considerate and reversing the order fining motorists for violating traffic rules.
“[The] Community Empowerment for Progress Organization appreciates the South Sudan Inspector General of Police for the immediate response by cancelling the Traffic Administration order number 061 dated 9th February 2022. This is a clear demonstration of leadership that aims at saving the public interest,” Yakani said.
Yakani said it is illegal for police authorities to twist the law to work in their favour while disenfranchising the citizens.
“Application of the law should not be used for generating income in an unlawful manner. The South Sudan Bar Association made it clear in their petition how the order 061 dated 9th February 2022 issued by the Police Traffic Department undermine legal practices enshrined in South Sudan Traffic Rules and Regulations.
“It is time to stand up and fight corrupt practices exercised by some of our leaders in our public offices. South Sudan Inspect General of Police act for cancelling the order is remarkable and this should be followed up by serious reforms in the Traffic police behaviours especially the officers on the streets,” he said.
Yakani added that the majority of police officers across the country were interested in using the traffic rules and regulations for generating for themselves income for personal gain only. He urged the IGP to “discipline” the officers.
The civil society outfit urged the law enforcement institution to establish a public complaint mechanism on the behaviours and practices of traffic police officers on various streets across Juba.
