Barricade tape for crime scene (Courtesy)

Four people are being investigated in connection with the robbery of more than 3 million South Sudanese pounds from money meant to pay school girls in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria state.

The state Information Minister Patrick Oting said the four individuals including two pay agents, a driver, and a bodyguard were transporting 30 million South Sudanese Pounds from Juba to Magwi County.

However, they were allegedly robbed at gunpoint between Owinkibul Payam and Magwi County.

The suspects claim that some bandits attacked them and made away with three million pounds out of the money.

Minister Patrick Oting said the incident occurred on the outskirt of Magwi town at the weekend.

“They are four people because they are still under investigation. They are all in custody in Magwi County following the investigations because of what had happened,” he said.

He said the government has become suspicious of how only a small fraction of the 30 million pounds was robbed.

“The county authority is trying to investigate to know exactly what had taken place, because these people came with a good sum of money at around 30 million SSP. But what has been stolen for them is only 3 million, 100 something, so the rest of the money it’s there the 26 million something it’s there.”

Oting did not explain who sent the money, but blamed Juba for not informing the state about the transfer.

When contacted on the matter, John Luny Puok, the Deputy Police Commissioner of Magwi County confirmed the arrest.

“We arrested people they are now under investigation in the police custody,” said Luny, who declined to give further information on the case.

“If you need more information, you go back to the ministry of education and ask them, because they are the ones who sent the money.”

“For us we are just depending on those who took the money and who are those who went with car to Owinykibul, so the rest is up to the ministry of education to respond on that.”

In response, the Executive Director of Girls’ Education South Sudan said the organization had contracted a pay agent to deliver the cash transfer to Maqwi County.

“We heard the report yeah, through our partner on the ground that this has happened. But the issue is actually being handled directly by the pay agents because the money is not yet ours,” she said.

Akuja De Garang said the organization only expected the pay agent to deliver the money and provide a receipt.

“The money is supposed to be delivered to schools and on their way to schools, that’s when they were robbed. So, it is between the pay agents, and the banks and the operation on the ground.”