Security firm says deputy mayor of Juba town Thiik Thiik Mayardit harassing its management

JUBA – A Juba-based security company is accusing the deputy Mayor of Juba city, Thiik Thiik Mayardit, of interfering in its management system resulting in what it calls an ‘unwarranted’ strike that has led to disturbance of the company’s security and work.

Veterans Security Services Ltd. (VSS) said in a letter addressed to Minister of Labor and Public Service James Hoth Mai that two of the company’s managers had to be hospitalized on June 1 after they were ‘badly beaten’ by disgruntled employees in a strike it said was incited by Thiik.

“It is with great respect and the utmost concern that we, the Board of Directors of Veterans Security Services Ltd (VSS), are compelled to write regarding unwarranted and inappropriate interference and harassment in the management of this company by the Honourable Deputy Mayor of Juba, Thiik Mayardit,” part of the company’s letter authored by its board of directors to the minister reads.

“His involvement has resulted this morning in an illegal and very damaging strike, two of the expatriate managers being hospitalized after being badly beaten, and the VSS headquarters suffering considerable damage after rioting employees broke into the compound and smashed windows, doors, vehicles, computers and furniture,” it said.

The company board called the interference an unacceptable behavior which is bad for the reputation of the world’s youngest country and said it is better for the company to be allowed to draw and implement its policies as provided for in the law saying the deputy mayor has been dictating the company on how to run itself.

“This is completely unacceptable behavior and it is very bad for the image of South Sudan in the eyes of our many international clients. It would not have happened if VSS management had been allowed to do their job without interference, and we believe it has now become a matter of national security,” the company said.

“The Deputy Mayor has for some time taken it upon himself to dictate on a frequent and continuing basis how we should run our company, in particular on labour issues including rates of pay and allowances, terms of employment, and general management policy and conduct,” it added.

The board further revealed that its employees “have been encouraged to make demands that would bankrupt the company.”

“VSS regularly consults the Ministry of Labour and we implement their guidance, which we believe to be the correct and lawful procedure,” it said, adding that “Instructions from another source are confusing, sometimes contradictory, and always inappropriate, particularly when they are addressed directly to our employees.”