Western Lakes State Information Minister Benjamin Laat Mathou says robbery cases are increasing day by day in residential areas and on the roads.
He told Good News Radio that looting is flourishing in residential areas including Malual Kodi, Malakia, Malual-akan, Akuach and Deng Nhial.
‘In fact that rampant looting is something the government is aware of it because for the last three days, there have been many incidences in regard to looting. It happened in Malual Kodi and the area around Deng Nhial. So these youths actually, we are trying to identify them and the government has information of those people. We have full information. We approached the chiefs of some communities on Sunday even the Galueng who were around the town and the deputy governor had a meeting with them and gave them warning’, says Laat.
Laat admits that his government is aware of such incidents and deputy governor had met chiefs of communities living around Rumbek town to expose perpetrators, but nothing had happened.
He admits that ‘Communities should talk to their armed youths because with the presence of cattle camps around towns, sometimes the armed youths come and take alcohol around the town then at night hours they happen to loot the civilians. So from that meeting I think something had happened because up to yesterday at night there were no gunshots in some areas which were suspected to be more notorious’.
The minister blames looting on youth involvement in high alcohol consumption that drives them into unlawful activities.
‘There has been internship patrolling which is done by the police and the army. They are doing patrolling all over in Rumbek. So the government is aware of it and it is trying to see in to it that those youths are brought to book. Eve some have been apprehended and are in the cell. So this is what is happening in regards to looting. So I want to assure our civilians that the government is trying very much’ says Laat.
The minister says state joint security forces were ordered to patrol throughout the night to grant safety to innocent civilians in residential areas of Rumbek.