National Legislative Assembly Minority leader on Wednesday warned after the controversial approval of National Security Service Bill that its impact would be ‘terrible’.
Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec expressed fears that some security agents would abuse the law to their advantage as it contravenes constitutional provision that Security Service is to gather information and report, but not to arrest suspects.
He added that the Security Service is not a law enforcement agent and that it has no mandate to arrest anybody.
MP Adigo criticized some South Sudan security agents’ of showing off with big pistols around waists, harassing masses for no reason.
He cited typical behaviour of security personnel in other countries where they work secretly under cover as low earners, sweeping streets or doing carpentry as they gather information to report to relevant authorities.
Former government Chief Whip in the assembly Atem Garang expressed worries over a clause granting National Security Service to confiscate undefined property of any suspect.
He fears the security agents can grab personal and family property like house, but Speaker Manasseh Magok Rundial interjected that his point is too late.
It is now up to the President of the Republic to sign the contested National Security Service Bill, 2014 into law.