Juba City Mayor toured customs market on Friday|Courtesy

 The Mayor of Juba City Council, Christopher Serefino Wani, has inspected the revived Custom Market amid concerns over individuals allegedly claiming authority to allocate trading spaces and collect money from vendors.

Speaking on state television (SSBC) on Friday, 9 January 2026, Mayor Wani warned that some people are falsely presenting themselves as sheikhs or leaders of associations while unlawfully collecting fees from traders.

“Through our security agents at the city council, we discovered that there are individuals presenting themselves as sheikhs and heads of associations, taking money from civilians and claiming to be responsible for the market,” Mayor Wani said.

He emphasized that the responsibility for organizing and regulating the market lies with the government through the Juba City Council.

“We came and sat with the vendors and explained to them how the government will work,” he said. “Anyone who will not work according to the law, the city council authority will enforce the law against them.”

The mayor further warned that no individual or group has the authority to manage the market outside government structures.

“We told the vendors that the organization of the market is the responsibility of the government,” he added.

Mayor Wani said the inspection was part of ongoing efforts by the city council to restore order, protect traders from exploitation, and ensure lawful management of public markets in Juba.