South Sudan police officers | File photo

Police say two suspected criminals have been arrested in the districts of Rock City and Gudele, in Juba.

The police say criminals have been breaking into houses of people who fled the capital after fighting erupted nearly three weeks ago.

The police commissioner of Central Equatoria told Eye Radio that police made the arrests yesterday during a patrol:

“Yesterday there were criminals who tried to loot some houses and they were arrested. Two of them are now in custody at the Joint Operations Center,” Police Commissioner General Abraham Manyuat said.

General Manyuat urged people not to believe rumors about the conflict.

There have been unconfirmed reports that rebels are marching towards Juba.

The SPLA spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, has denied these reports. He says it is the national army moving to retake Bor from the rebels.

Abraham Manyuat said people should not spread rumors that cause tension in Juba.

“When people get information, they have to keep that information and analyze it before they spread it because there are people who want to use these rumors to scare people,” he said.

Juba has been calm since the SPLA took strategic military positions back from rebels three days after fighting erupted.