The headmaster of Juba Day Secondary School denied allegations made by the Kush International Church that he and his staff instigated students to destroy the temple’s bamboo fences.
Emmanuel Ladu told CRN News that the presence of Kush International Church on a piece of land owned by Juba Day, Juba Commercial and Nile Model secondary schools has been an issue for a very long time.He explained the schools’ administration raised the issue with Juba City Mayor and the church was evicted already twice due to disturbances made by worshippers.
On Tuesday, the students pulled down the bamboo fence around the church.
Mr Lado said when classes resumed after Christmas the administration noticed that Kush International Church expanded its fence instead of relocating the temple.
The headmaster added that the administration did not instigate students because it was already written to Central Equatoria Education ministry and they met with the Mayor over the issue.
Kush International Church spokesperson, Santino Atak, told CRN News over the phone that the Central Equatoria Housing and Physical Infrastructure Minister allowed the church to use the land temporarily until it was allocated a permanent plot.
He said Juba Day’s administration wants the church to close down its activities, but the church raised the issues with the presidency, met the governor and the housing minister and were allowed to continue in the premises.
He said on Tuesday he received information that students destroyed the church’s fence, store, shelter for the watchman and a pulpit worth 70,000 pounds.
Mr Atak added that the church found out that the headmaster and his staff told the students to destroy the fence or else they would not get lessons.
The administration closed down Juba Day Secondary School until the church situation is resolved.