The Specialized Committee on Defense and Veteran Affairs at the national legislature has confirmed the passing on of its member, General Salva Mathok.

The committee did not indicate where the former deputy Minister of interior died on Tuesday.

However, the spokesperson of the parliament said the lawmaker died while receiving treatment in Nairobi-Kenya as opposed to media reports he died in Bangkok, Thailan.

“It is we deep sorrow that we announced to the leadership, honorable members, and the entire staff of the transitional legislative assembly, the sudden passing of Honorable General Salva Mathok Gendit Piol, a member of the Specialized Committee on Defense and Veteran Affairs,” it said.

In a statement to Eye Radio’s newsroom, signed by the chair Michael Ayuen Johnson, the Specialized Committee on Defense and Veteran Affairs at the Transitional Legislative Assembly said it has lost a patriotic icon of nationalism.

It described him as an energetic member of parliament and a liberator of the South Sudanese people.

At least ten people died when a stationary boat loaded with relief supplies was fired at between Juba and Mangala by unknown attackers, according to members of parliament representing  Unity state at the national legislature.

The incident happened on Tuesday while the boat loaded with humanitarian supplies was due to set off for Unity state.

“The boat started to move from Gabat around 2 PM and in fact, it happened that it stuck in the riverside and the reason was because of the shallowness of the river,” said  Badit Dak, a member of parliament representing Leer County of Unity State.

“When that happened, those criminals came and asked for assistance and the assistance was given to them by the passengers,

“After they were given the assistance they needed, they were given money and some items, and then after moving a distance they shot at those on the boat,” he added.

The lawmakers have identified the victims as Luony Garech, Bol Tech Nhial, Bachuoi Tech Nhial, Gatgong Wang Dhieu, Chonath Dieu Kor, Gatkuoth Bap, Gatchiang Detor Kai, Paulino Madit Dut, Gatkuoth Yaka, and one unknown.

One person is reported to have survived the attack.

Badit Dak, a member of parliament representing Leer County of Unity State in the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly spoke on behalf of his colleagues in Juba earlier today.

He narrated to reporters what happened.

The MPs have condemned the incident and are calling for an immediate investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We really condemn as people’s representatives in the strongest terms possible this criminal act,

“And we urge the state government and the national government at the same time and the security organs to look for these criminals and bring them to book as soon as possible so that the law take it to cause,

Attempts to reach the police for comment were unsuccessful.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has expressed support for facilitating the voluntary return of refugees after meeting their representatives including IDPs in Juba on Wednesday.

The President’s session was held under the theme: Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Peace, and Resettlement aimed at promoting unity among the people of South Sudan, according to the presidential press unit.

“With peace implementation moving towards the final phase where elections will end the transitional period, repatriating our people from the camps in neighboring countries should top our agenda,” President Kiir said.

The head of state reportedly appealed to the IDPs and refugees to return to their respective areas of origin or the capital city, Juba.

He is said to have assured the displaced persons of their security while calling on the international partners to support the government in reintegrating returnees back to their areas of origin.

“For those who will opt to return to their habitual areas of residence, the government will provide security and would work jointly with partners to organize logistics around what is needed to resettle successfully in those areas,” he said.

“Equally, for those who can not go back to their areas of residence, we have spoken to authorities in states where IDPs camps are located to set aside land to resettle them,’ he added.

He reiterated his call to state authorities to allocate land to the IDPs.