By MACHEL AMOS in Juba

 

Thieves broke into the account office of South Sudan President Salva Kiir and escaped with an estimated $70,000, a senior official said on Thursday.

Mr Chaat Paul Nul of the communications department in the President’s Office said investigations were ongoing and dismissed earlier reports that about $2 million had vanished.

“They broke a hole from behind and went in,” Mr Chaat said.

 

“The full investigation will establish how they got into the fence which is under tight security,” he said.

Minister in the Office of the President said the theft happened on the night of March 15.

The circumstances under which the cash disappeared have stirred a debate within Juba, lending credence to existing perception of corruption within the government.

On social media, the controversy has highlighted internal differences within the government, particularly the alleged raging fight between the President and his deputy for the top position within their ruling party.

A statement from the Office of the President said the lost money was about $56 million.

“News reports that 6 million South Sudanese Pounds were stolen from the President’s Office are incorrect,” the statement said in an attempt to clarify the figures.

“The missing funds were delivered to pay salaries for junior staff that currently do not have bank accounts for direct deposit (mostly drivers and maintenance staff) and also for several special projects, including the opening of the newest addition to the Office of the President complex,” the statement said, explaining why the money was kept in drawers.

Mr Chaat said some money was usually put aside in cash for emergencies.

“We usually keep some little South Sudanese Pounds and US dollars because there are some people who travel, even over weekend,” he said.

Mr Chaat said the findings of the investigation would be made public soon.

The Minister in the Office of the President, Mr Emmanuel Lowilla said: “What were found were a hammer and long screw drivers. There was a bucket of water and a big hole was made on the wall."

He said the incident did not in any way compromise the security of the President.

“The safety of the President was not in any way threatened at all. This happened far from where the president usually operates," Mr Lowilla said.