![Businessman Thalage Wal Goch seen at a local jail in Juba. [Photo via Facebook]](https://i1.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/240467671_179515340948924_8142805065610889619_n.jpg)
Thalage is a former member of the SPLM-IO who defected earlier last year with the group’s former deputy chief of staff for administration and finance. He is also alleged to be a wealthy businessman.
Last week, he accused Machar of defaulting on loan saying the First Vice President borrowed money from him between 2014 and 2016 when fighting erupted for the second time in the capital Juba.
Yesterday, he was arrested and his family immediately issued a statement accusing Machar of standing behind their son’s arrest by member of the police. The family warned that whatever problem that Thalage get in the detention would be accounted on Machar.
When contacted by Sudans Post, Puok Both Baluang, confirmed to Sudans Post that Thalage was arrested following a lawsuit against him by Machar for defamatory remarks on social media and saying “he is in the police custody.”
He defended Machar’s actions saying the First Vice President and prominent opposition leader was acting within the legal context.
“Dr. Machar has exercised his righ as citizen of South Sudan to file a legal case seeking justice against someone wronged him.
![Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state Tong Aken Ngor. [Photo by William Akuei/YouTube]](https://i1.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/maxresdefault-120x86.jpg)
![South Sudan map featuring Western Equatoria state. [Photo via Wikipedia]](https://i1.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1200px-Western_Equatoria_Map.svg-120x86.png)
I am very sorry to see this business man is sitting at the dirtiest room that would possibly give him sickness. The man was asking first vice President Riek Machar Teny to make his repayment for what he took somewhere when they were in the Bushes fighting against government.
The Nuers people have a very rights to disowning Dr. Riek Machar Teny because he turned against them while, they have been protected him since 1991 to 2018. I feel sorry for the business man to be arrested just because he has no power and it was his right to asked the first vice President Riek Machar to make repayment. Why denying the fact, he took money from this man. Machar is not care about Nuers people anymore but he doesn’t know what went around may come around later. Let us pray for this business man for his safety concerns.