Nov 19, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — On Tuesday, an unnamed army general allegedly ordered for the demolition of buildings on four plots in Hai-Game area in Juba in which he is claiming ownership.
The affected residents are putting the blame on some officials of Juba city council for allotting their plots to top army officials.
“The one who demolished our houses this morning is one of the generals from the Tiger division. He said he bought the plots from Juba city council,” said a mother, who had been staying on the plot since 1992.
The Tiger Division is composed of soldiers who protect President Salva Kiir in Juba and some of whom have been involved in land grabbing cases before.
According to some residents, the people who are claiming ownership have never been residents of the area and they are using soldiers to put up their own structures.
“They have allotted our plots to people who were not in this residential area before. They deployed armed soldiers here and they are using force to construct their houses. This is not good,” another evictee said.
When Martin Simon Wani, the acting chief executive officer of Juba city council was contacted, he said he had to enquire from the director of Juba block.
“I have to get information from our director of Juba block to tell us exactly what happened there or what is happening,” Wani stated.
Land ownership, land grabbing and land dispute in South Sudan is a major concern to many citizens.
The transitional constitution stipulates that the land is owned by the people of South Sudan and its usage shall be regulated by the government.
According to sub-Article (1), and the provisions of Article 28 of the Constitution, the government at all levels, may take land in the public interest as shall be prescribed by law.
Right groups say land-grabbing remains a security threat committed by senior army and national security generals in South Sudan.
Last month, the governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil issued a statement ordering for the suspension of the Land Allotment and Demarcation in his State.
