Biong Pieng Kuol, Acting Undersecretary in the Ministry of Justice - Photo: Alhadi Hawari/Eye Radio - Sept. 27, 2023

The Acting Undersecretary in the Ministry of Justice says the institution often ends up without proper evidence to prosecute serious crimes due to unprocedural investigations.

Biong Pieng Kuol says he has observed investigators accepting to be led by witnesses, accused persons, and complainants.

He revealed this while making remarks today at the opening of a three-day training program aimed to enhance and strengthen the capacity of prosecutors and investigators.

Pieng called on the investigators in the organized forces to properly look at both sides of serious crimes including sexual offenses.

“You as an investigator, have to lead the investigation, so the investigation is always led by the investigator and prosecutor and not by the witnesses or the accused of the complainer,”  said Kuol.

“Sometimes, I see that the investigator is been led by the witness, is been led by the accused, is been led by the complainer, so what are we establishing now, is dividing you to another point which you should not accept and that’s why sometimes we end up without proper evidence, without proper witnesses that can’t help our case in prosecution.”

More than fifty investigators and prosecutors from different organized forces are attending the workshop.

The training is being facilitated by the Department of Rule of Law and Security of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in partnership with Central Equatoria State’s legal administration.

Early this year, the United Nations reported that without tackling impunity, South Sudan will not stem pervasive violence, and horrific human rights violations and abuses.

It said Justice Systems and initiatives in South Sudan are assessed in the report, including the State’s recent use of military courts and ad hoc inquiries.