Vice-president Nyandeng’s bodyguard slaps journalists for taking pictures with phone

JUBA – A bodyguard of South Sudan’s Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, on Wednesday slapped a Journalist in the face for taking pictures using phone during the commemoration of International Youth Day at Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba.

The  journalist is identified as Logonyi Denis works for local Radio ‘Classic FM’ in Juba.

“One of the bodyguards in a suit approached me and wanted me to delete the photos, so in this process, they asked for my ID which I gave but during the negotiations, the bodyguard in army uniform with a gun couldn’t understand. He was actually the one manhandling me, pulling me here and there,” Denis told Sudans Post.

Denis said he was slapped in the face, in front of everyone including dignitaries after obeying orders to stopped taking pictures using his phone.

“This soldier in army uniform immediately came back to where we were gathered as people were asking me to tell them what happened,” he said.

“He just started by pointing at me then followed by a slap in the face, in front of everyone including dignitaries.”

However, Oyet Patrick, President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan revealed that they are following up the case.

“We are following up on this issue, we have talked to VP’s office, the issue will be resolved,” Patrick said.