Businesswoman Achai Wiir detained amid allegations of witchcraft

JUBA – Businesswoman and philanthropist Achai Wiir has been detained by South Sudanese authorities for seven days after allegations surfaced online that she was involved in bewitching President Salva Kiir.

Wiir was arrested on Monday after her friend, Sora Jima, accused her in a video of using witchcraft to influence high-ranking government officials, including President Salva Kiir and his envoy, Benjamin Bol Mel, to secure lucrative contracts.

Jima alleged in the video that Wiir had sacrificed individuals to the devil in Mombasa and Tanzania to confuse them into approving her business deals.

The claims included the President’s wife, Mama Ayen Mayardit, former finance minister Dier Tong, and former executive director James Deng Wal, among others. It is unclear if her detention is in connection to the allegations.

Speaking to Sudans Post today, police spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin confirmed Wiir’s detention, stating the investigation was ongoing, but declined to disclose the complainant’s identity.

“She has been in detention for four days now,” Gen. Justin said. “She was arrested by the police and the investigation was going on up to yesterday.”

When pressed for details about the complainant, Gen. Justin replied: “No, I don’t have the details, but her arrest is the only thing I can confirm.”

He later clarified the charges against Wiir, stating they included criminal misappropriation, defamation, and assault or criminal force without provocation under South Sudan’s Penal Code Act of 2008.

“There are three articles from the criminal code, and they are 246 (Criminal Misappropriation), 289 (Defamation), and 225 (Assault or Criminal Force Without Provocation),” Gen. Justin said.