Gen Dr Paul Nang Majok, the newly appointed SSPDF Chief of the Defence Force addressing a meeting in Nimule on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - Photo Courtesy

The newly appointed SSPDF Chief of the Defence Force issued a stern warning to all organized forces who have been illegally collecting money from motorists along the Juba–Nimule highway.

Gen. Dr Paul Nang Majok who delivered his message on Tuesday in Nimule emphasized that any officer found defying his orders would face arrest and disciplinary action.

The new Chief of Defense Force focused on several pressing issues, including the need for improved revenue collection practices and the enforcement of proper operational protocols at the border.

He aimed to address the ongoing disputes between government authorities and transporters, advocating for better cooperation and more efficient processes.

A key part of the briefing was his directive to shut down several unnecessary traffic checkpoints along the highway, which have been a source of frustration for both drivers and the public.

Checkpoints at Jebel Gordon, Aru Junction, and Juba Bridge were among those affected by the order, marking a significant step toward streamlining the route and ensuring smoother transportation.

“The issue of traffic on the road is a big problem,” Dr. Majok said. “When a car moves from Nimule, you encounter more than eleven or twelve checkpoints where police are collecting money. Is this their mandate? This practice is unacceptable and will not continue.”

He highlighted that the situation is even worse in Juba, with similar corrupt practices hindering the movement of vehicles and goods.

Dr Majok vowed to take immediate action, declaring that checkpoints at Jebel Gordon and Aru Junction would be shut down. “What are they verifying at Aru Junction? It’s unnecessary. It will be closed,” he asserted.

He further warned all security units, including the CID, National Security, Army, and Military Intelligence, to cease any involvement in the illegal collection of money.

“All collections by these forces are cancelled,” he declared. He also ordered the suspension of the automatic weight bridge, movement payments, and other fees until the matter was addressed with the relevant ministries and the South Sudan Revenue Authority.

Particularly alarming to the General was the 20,000 South Sudanese pounds being charged at Juba Bridge, a practice he deemed unacceptable.

“I am telling you, we will not allow this anymore,” he said, stressing that the National Police Service, along with Military Intelligence, would be tasked with resolving these issues promptly.

For his part, Simon Akuei Deng, the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, intervened to stop the illegal collection of money at the Juba Bridge checkpoint.

He put an immediate halt to the unlawful demands of 20,000 South Sudanese pounds from long-distance truck drivers, which had been imposed by certain organized forces.

This move was in line with the government’s commitment to curb corruption and ensure proper revenue collection practices.

The Commissioner General’s action underscores the ongoing efforts to create a more transparent and efficient system for both transporters and government authorities.

“Everything is lost by security organs being CID, National security, all those collections by soldiers and Military Intellenget are all cancelled,” Akuei said.

“The automatic weight bridge, movement and payment are suspended until the matter is resolved with the line ministries and South Sudan revenue authority,” he stated.

“The 20,000ssp being charged by Juba bridge, immoderately, I think when our national police service goes back and Military Intelligence of which now we have CDF here. They have to address them,”  Akuei said.

On Tuesday, December 10, a government delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Monday Semaya Kumba, briefed security forces at the Nimule border about a formal agreement reached with the Long-Distance Truck Drivers’ Union.

The agreement outlines key measures aimed at improving the working conditions of truck drivers and ensuring smoother operations along the Juba–Nimule highway.

Ambassador Kumba emphasized the importance of this collaboration between the government and the truck drivers’ union, stressing that the new agreement would help address longstanding issues related to road safety, border procedures, and the avoidance of unnecessary checkpoints and extortion.

He urged the forces stationed at the border to respect the terms of the agreement and to support the ongoing efforts for a more efficient and transparent transportation system.