Africa-Press – South-Sudan. At least five teachers are reportedly detained in Rumbek East County, Lakes State, after they were arrested during a strike in demand for their unpaid salaries.
A teacher who spoke to The City Review anonymously confirmed the arrest but could not comment on the matter, claiming that his phone was being tracked by the security, who also wanted to arrest him. Another reliable source revealed that the teachers were being held at some unknown locations.
“Yes, they are arrested. But the number at which I am talking to you now has been registered by the security personnel. Because they are looking for me also,” said the anonymous teacher.
“I would have talked to you now, but for the sake of security, I can’t be able to talk to you. My number is there with the security guys and other state personnel. I am still being supervised. I cannot be able to talk about everything about it.”
The commissioner of Rumbek East County, Mabor Ater, said he was yet to confirm whether the teachers were arrested and the reason for their arrest.
“I have not confirmed either.” I came yesterday, and I don’t know anything,” Ater said.
They were identified as Peter Machuei Thondok (head teacher of Malong-Agok primary school), Marial Machuei Matim (chairman of the teachers’ professional union), Dor Apach (head teacher of Nhiak primary school), James Malith Malual (Payam education supervisor), and Daniel Deng Mabor (head teacher of Adol primary school).
The phone number of the director-general of the state ministry of education could not be reached for comment.
The strike
On Wednesday, teachers in Rumbek East County, Lakes State, protested delayed and meagre salaries.
John Thon, the representative of the teachers and a teacher at Atiaba Primary School, Rumbek East County, said the promises of the state government to clear their salaries had not been fulfilled.
“The teachers in Rumbek East County have laid down their tools and stopped teaching; the reason is low payment, and the salaries are also delayed,” Thon said.
He noted that the 100 percent salary increment announced by President Salva Kiir Mayardit had yet to be implemented in the state.
“The salaries are not increased, and it was said by the minister that the salaries were going to increase. But this process is still not yet implemented, which is why teachers in Rumbek East put down their tools,” he complained.
Thon stressed that the protests were not only in the county but entirely in Lakes State.
“Not only Rumbek East, but the entire faculty of Lake State are putting down their tools,” he added.
Court ruling
In October 2022, Mager Achiengwei, who previously blew the whistle over the controversial GESS funds scandal in Yirol East County, said teachers from Yirol East County who were arrested in Rumbek were sacked after protesting the failure of the state ministry of education to implement a 100 percent salary increment.
“The teachers have been sacked by the ministry of education after they filed a petition against the ministry. They want 24 months salaries and want compensation for defamation,” Mager said.
The five teachers had been detained since June 2022 over peaceful protests demanding 100 percent salaries, which had been announced by President Salva Kiir.
They were accused of defaming the state ministry of education and seized the keys to the ministry’s financial treasury under items 47, 80, and 86 of the criminal code of 2008.
The coordinator for Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) in Lakes State, Daniel Lat, revealed that the case was dismissed under Section 226 of the Criminal Code Procedures 2008.
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