Expat salon operators in Rumbek are decrying mistreatment from health authorities and paralysed their businesses yesterday following an order of arrest from a senior Public Health Officer for offenses related to hair disposal.
The arrested 17 salon operators told Good News Radio at Rumbek Police Station that they lamented ill-treatment from the Public Health law enforcers.One female salon operator said the health officers went to her shop, informing her of a meeting of all saloon operators and the Public Health Director and she ended up arrested.
She said she resented being pushed and pulled like a thief.
Another operator said they were called by the Public Health office for a meeting, were taken to the Police, presented to court and fined 250 Sudanese pounds or five months of jail.
She complained that the court officials only spoke Dinka and Arabic and the operators did not have translators.
A third salon operator said the public officers were targeting foreigners, knowing that business was good during the festive season.
She called for the intervention of top government officials, including the Governor of Lakes State and Rumbek Central County Commissioner, to address their situation.
She said she did not have the money to pay the fine and did not want to spend time behind the bars.
The 17 operators were allowed to spend the night at their homes and they had to report to court in the morning.
No public officer was available for an official statement on the issue.
Rumbek counts with 30 Salon places, including 13 run by locals.