Puot Kang incited White Army through Radio Miraya, claims investigator

JUBA – The lead investigator in the high-profile case involving suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and seven co-defendants has accused suspended Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chuol of inciting the White Army through a radio interview aired on the United Nations’ Radio Miraya.

Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani, the lead investigator in the case, told the court during cross-examination that Puot Kang used the platform to provoke local youth against the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Nasir, Upper Nile State.

“Puot Kang conducted an interview with Radio Miraya, saying that the forces sent to Nasir comprised militias and not pure SSPDF. Their mandate was to disarm the White Army and civilians of Nasir. They were not unified forces, and the interview was shared on social media,” Maj. Gen. Wani told the court.

He did not, however, specified the year, date, and time when the interview was held.

Puot Kang, 40, is among eight high-profile defendants, including Machar, 73, facing charges of treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property. The case stems from a March 2025 attack on an SSPDF base in Nasir that left at least 275 soldiers dead, including Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak.

During the same hearing, Machar’s lead defense lawyer, Kur Lual Kur, questioned the investigator about money allegedly seized from Puot Kang’s residence during his arrest.

“During the search of the house of the first accused, Puot Kang Chuol, three million South Sudanese Pounds belonging to the seventh accused, Mading Yak Riek, were confiscated by security officers. Are you aware of this money?” Kur asked.

Maj. Gen. Wani responded that the accused did not disclose the money during the investigation.

Last week, the defense team also told the court that ten vehicles and other valuable items went missing from Puot Kang’s residence during his arrest. Lead defense attorney Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge pressed Maj. Gen. Wani on the matter, listing five private and five government vehicles reportedly unaccounted for.

The case, one of the most politically charged in recent years, accuses Machar and his allies of orchestrating the deadly Nasir assault through SPLA-IO forces and allied White Army militias.

Machar was placed under house arrest in Juba by security forces acting on the orders of President Salva Kiir Mayardit following the attack.

Those standing trial alongside Machar and Puot Kang include Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Kamilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.

If convicted, the eight face possible life imprisonment or death penalties under South Sudanese law.