Governor Futuyo of Western Equatoria suspends housing minister over corruption

JUBA – The governor of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state General Alfred Futuyo has suspended the minister of housing, land and public utilities Simon Peter Sarawasi for allegedly being involved in corruption practices in the state, according to a gubernatorial order obtained by Sudans Post.

According to the order, Minister Sarawasi “sold all the plots of land in Yambio Municipality” and also “sold the properties of the State Ministry of Housing, Land and Public Utilities” as well as electrical equipment belonging to the ministry.

Sarawasi was appointed last February on the ticket of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and has been on loggerhead with the governor who was appointed in 2020 on the ticket of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).

The governor said the suspension “will be lifted when the case is seen by the Hon. Governor of Western Equatoria State.”