Torit shop owners have demanded to know what happened to over 30,000 Pounds they collected to pay for the security services in the market.
Each trader had to pay one Pound per day, totalling 30 Pounds per month, for security officers to keep their shops safe, Radio Emmanuel reported.The traders say that Torit has about 1,000 business people so in the first month they paid 30,000 Pounds.
They also accused officers of demanding 35 Pounds per month instead of the agreed 30 Pounds and used harsh methods during money collection.
Eastern Equatoria Chamber of Commerce Chairman Abraham Odongo confirmed the extra charge by the people entrusted to collect the security fund saying he received a receipt of 35 Pounds.
Mr Odongo said that the number of shops registered rounds the 500.
He said some traders have not registered.
Mr Odongo explained that the claim that traders paid over 30,000 Pounds to the security has to be verified because Torit does not have 1,000 shops.
Torit traders expressed dissatisfaction over non accountability of the money they contributed this month during a meeting called by Eastern Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber called the meeting to ask traders to increase their daily contribution towards market security.
The traders rejected the suggestion and demanded to know how the money they paid was used before accepting an increment.