Gabriel Isaac, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justices speaking to media during visit to Juba main prison on Wednesday April 5, 2023 -Credit: Arimeto Albino

Juba City saw significant decreases in major crime as of this year, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Gabriel Isaac who is the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justices says the reduction in the detention facilities is an indication the government is combating crimes.

He made the remark during a tour of police stations across the city yesterday.

The Justice official says the purpose of the visits was to ensure nobody is arbitrarily detained and that suspects’ rights are not violated.

This aimed to address the issue of overcrowding in the police cells.

“It’s clear that from these two inspections of the Ministry of Justice and Prosecutor General, you will discover that the number of cases has reduced showing that the government is combating the crimes,” Gabriel Isaac explained.

“The major crimes are reduced to the minimum and we will continue work on this to make sure that if not eliminate at least to be put in the level that doesn’t harm people,

“We have the issue of the infrastructure mainly and the issue of capacity building and finance,

“The reason for our visit is because we don’t want anybody to be in custody without legal grounds, we are doing this to reduce the number and make sure that no one’s right is violated.”

Early this week, the prosecution authorities in Central Equatoria State said more than 200 suspects were awaiting trial in different police detention facilities in Juba.

Saber Wani, the head of Legal Administration in Central Equatoria State revealed the backlog of cases during an inspection visit to nine police stations in Juba yesterday.

The suspects were detained at the traffic police center, Gudele Police Station, Munuki police station, Newsite, and Northern and Central Division, among others.