“My students and I will march through Juba’s streets and destroy the structures you are constructing on our property”-VC, Juba University warns

Professor John Akec, the vice-chancellor of South Sudan’s Juba University, has cautioned businesses against snatching land belonging to the university.

The warning came after a group of South Sudanese businesspeople reportedly threatened the University of Juba land at Customs Market behind the School of Law by driving away merchants who were temporarily leasing the property.

In a statement published on his Facebook page, Akec urged suspected land grabbers to keep away from the Institution’s property and to refrain from building structures on land granted to the university.

“This is to inform the general public that the University of Juba land at Customs Market behind the School of Law is currently under threat from a group of South Sudanese businessmen who are evicting traders who are temporarily leasing the land, and we have credible information that this group intends to build their own Super Market,” Akec said.

He threatened land grabbers to halt their activities or he and his students will march through the streets of Juba and destroy structures built on University property.

“Be certain that my students and I will march through Juba’s streets and destroy the structures you are constructing on our property. Be cautious. Be very cautious with your money. Do not claim that you were not informed about the possibility of financial loss,” he added.

“While our authorities must act, let it be clear to everyone that we (Administration, Staff, and Students of the University) will fight tooth and nail to ensure that this never occurs under our watch,” he said.

He committed to naming and shaming land grabbers once they had solid proof of their participation.

“This is the large area of University of Juba land in Juba’s Customs area, which was recently fenced off for development by a group of businessmen and rent-seekers with the usual backing of politicians and operatives from organized and security forces (names of those involved are withheld for the time being),” he explained.