Traders in Rumbek have complained that street children are interfering with the smooth running of business activities in the town.
Lilian Angalika owns a stationery shop in Rumbek town. She told Good News Radio that some street children yesterday evening demanded money from her. She refused and they left with a generator, chairs and some stationery.She said she was forced to close her shop, because later on the street children turned violent and started throwing stones when she attempted to recover the stolen goods.
Saida Nikiwate, an employee at the shop, added that the street children also threatened to kill them.
Ms. Nikiwate noted that the number of street children involved in the incident might have been high judging from the way the stones were hitting the shop.
Some street children who spoke to the reporter at the scene of the incident admitted that they steal from shops.
They said they sell the stolen goods to get money for buying food, alcohol, glue, cigarettes and other drugs.
One kid asked that if he is taken to school he is ready to stop stealing.
The traders appealed to Lakes State authorities to invest in a rehabilitation Centre where street children can be empowered with technical skills to contribute productively to nation building.