Public transport drivers at a major market in South Sudan’s capital are protesting what they call the illegal seizure of their designated parking area by individuals backed by security forces, a move they say is forcing passengers to board vehicles on dangerous roadways.
The dispute at Jebel Market Taxi Park escalated recently when a group of security officers arrived with an arrest warrant that did not name a suspect and detained the local drivers’ union chairperson, according to witnesses and union officials.
Lawrence Gabriel, Chairperson of the Central Equatoria Drivers Union, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the officers claimed they were acting on behalf of a private individual who planned to begin construction on the site.
“We resisted and demanded to see the land documents,” Gabriel said. “During the confrontation, our market representative, Abraham Chol, was arrested along with three others.”
He said that after the arrests, the officers demolished structures at the site and began erecting a fence. The detainees were released after nearly four hours.
Drivers say the incident is part of a pattern of land-grabbing that has drastically reduced the parking space for hundreds of taxis and buses, compelling them to operate along the roadside.
“The park is already being taken. What is the role of the government?” said driver Clement Valentino. “When cars park on the road, it becomes dangerous for the safety of passengers.”
Another driver, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said most of the area has been taken by individuals with armed backing.
“This is a public park, yet everyone is claiming ownership of parts of it,” he said. “The park has become too small. We now park on the road.”
Gabriel asserted that the land in question is public property and that similar claims have been repeatedly dismissed by the national government.
“This is not the first time someone has claimed ownership of this land,” Gabriel said. “Whenever such cases are referred to the Ministry of Housing, the claimants never return, because the ministry has already halted all land allotments in Jebel Market.”
He urged drivers to remain calm as the union continues to engage with state authorities. “We are committed to following up this case until justice is served,” he added.
Stephen Wani Aquilino, Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce at Juba City Council, described the actions of the alleged landowners as “surprising and contrary to official procedures.”
He said anyone claiming ownership should have first verified their documents with the Ministry of Housing, Land and Public Utilities before attempting any construction.
“They should have stopped immediately to avoid chaos and follow the right path,” Wani said.
Wani emphasized the need to maintain Jebel Market as an orderly and accessible area, warning that unplanned structures could cause severe congestion and instability.
“We don’t want chaos to happen in Jebel Market like what occurred in Konyo Konyo,” he said, referring to another city market known for disputes and fires. He urged authorities to visit the site to assess the situation firsthand rather than relying solely on maps.
Officials from the Ministry of Housing, Land and Public Utilities and the Joint Operation Unit cited in the drivers’ accounts could not be immediately reached for comment.