Bul-nuer Youth Leadership Condemns Presidential Advisor Gen. Tut Gatluak for Kidnapping and Torturing of youth

June 7, 2020(SSNN) — Reports from South Sudan’s Bul-nuer youth leadership alleged that the Presidential Advisor on National Security, Hon. Tutkew Gatluak Manime, has been kidnapping, torturing and arresting youth who are accused to have criticized him on social media.

According to the chairman of Bul Youth Council in Juba, South Sudan, the arrests and kidnapping can be done anywhere on the streets in Juba and victims are taken to Hon. Tut’s houses, where young men are detained for hours or days, before they are reported to the national security.

Both the chairman and information secretary of the Bul-nuer youth leaders are among the victims of these arrests and kidnapping.

Speaking to South Sudan News Now in Juba, Same Chan Mut Turoah, the Chairperson of Bul Youth Council said their Secretary of Information Mazala Mabil Pham was tortured and later reported to National security for further investigation because someone reported him to have criticized Hon. Tutkew on social media.

“The leadership of Bul youth Council condemn the arbitrary arrest of it Secretary for information Mr. Mazala Mabil Pham. The arrest was carried out by the presidential adviser for National security affairs Hon. Tut Gatluak’s bodyguards at Juba Town.”

One of the victism of kidnapping and torturing, Mazala Mabil Pham, showing a bandaged scare on his head(Photo credit: Bul Youth Council)

The victim said he was beaten on the head using a pistol causing injuries or concussions.

“Mazala was badly tortured and his head was beaten using a pistol which caused a lot of injuries on his Scull and was later taken to Nationality Security’s blue house.” The Chairman reports.

An investigation by the national security did not find reasonable grounds to charge the victims.

“The national security went through Mazala’s social media accounts ( WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter) and nothing was found tangible and critic against Hon. Tut and his home bodyguards that could prove Mazala Guilty.” Said the chairman of Bul youth council.

Other incidents include the kidnapping and detention of another youth, Changdar Nhial Deng, by the bodyguards of Mr. Gatluak at Mangateen, Juba, South Sudan.

“On 3rd, June 2020 Mr. Changdar Nhial Deng was kidnapped n Mangateen and was later taken to Hon. Tut’s house for investigations by his brother Chuol Gatluak Manime.” The chairman continued.

The chairperson believes that Hon. Tut and more constitutional post holders are taking laws into their own hand kidnapping, arresting and torturing civilians in Juba, South Sudan.

“We believe even the President of the Republic H.E Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit has no mandate to arrest someone and detain him in his own house without taking the person where the law is suppose to deal with him at.” Turoah explains.

Mr. Turoah calls on the government to review the nature of powers given to presidential advisers and other constitutional post holders, and hold them accountable when they are found to breach their mandates.

The chairperson of Bul Youth Council commends the National Security Service for handling their cases with professionalism its deserves.

“As the youth of Bul, we appreciates the work of the national security service for handling this case in a professional way. We commend the national security to continue working for the good of the public.” Mr. Turoah said.