JUBA – South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) on Monday dismissed as fake a document circulating on social media that purported to show several high-ranking government officials summoned for questioning in connection with a corruption scandal.
The documents, which went viral last week, alleged that the Internal Security Bureau of the NSS had summoned a number of post-constitutional holders to appear before the Anti-Corruption Security Division.
It named former undersecretary for the Ministry of Petroleum, Dr. Chol Deng Thon, and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol as being among those summoned.
The document also listed others, including former Director General of the Ministry of Petroleum Kon John Akot; a daughter of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Adut Salva Kiir; Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Latjore; and Presidential Advisor on Special Programs Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel.
Speaking to journalists during a press conference in Juba on Monday, NSS Director of Public Relations at the Internal Security Bureau said the documents were fabricated with the intention of deceiving the public and damaging the agency’s reputation.
“As a matter of fact, ladies and gentlemen, in necessity and clarity, the document in question is entirely fake and unofficially. Designed principally to mislead and tarnish the image of this service, the National Security Service, as well as discrediting its long-standing reputation,” Kumuri said.
Kumuri acknowledged that the Anti-Corruption Security Division had indeed summoned two individuals in connection with corruption allegations. However, he explicitly stated that the NSS did not issue summonses to constitutional post holders, as the document claimed.
“Those documents have been edited by enemies of the state, but we summoned two suspects that are supposed to be investigated,” he said.
He further stated that individuals who had altered the summons paper to include the names of constitutional post holders had been arrested.
“The reason for the arrest was those who leaked out the document into social media and decided to edit [it], adding our constitutional post holders on the summons,” he explained. “So, the investigation is still ongoing.”
He added that further arrests were likely. “The arrest will continue,” Kumuri said. “For those who are circulating this on social media, editing the names of the constitutional post holders that have not been summoned, they are also being investigated.”
The National Security Service’s mandate, under section 13, subsection 13 of the National Security Act 2014 as amended in 2024, includes the power to summon, investigate, and take particulars and depositions from any suspect and potential witness.
