(TORIT) – The South Sudan Law Society has called on the Eastern Equatoria State Ministry of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities to strengthen transparency in land allocations and registrations. The appeal was made during a roundtable dialogue in Torit that brought together government officials, community leaders, parliamentarians and civil society organisations to discuss land management challenges.
The law society said that public land meant for development and recreation has been misused, with open spaces mapped for community use reportedly sold or occupied by influential individuals. The organisation stressed that government authorities must recover these spaces and ensure land allocation is conducted according to law.
Counsel Jada Andrew Othawa, a legal aid officer with the Law Society in Torit, said many residents are losing trust in land management due to corruption and lack of clear communication. He urged the government to involve the public in land matters and disclose information openly.
“There is a need for transparency in how land is surveyed and registered. Public land that has been wrongly allotted should be recovered, and services should be delivered to surveyed areas,” Othawa said.
The discussion revealed several major concerns:
Key Issues Raised in Torit Land Dialogue
| Concern | Details |
|---|---|
| Multiple allotments | Same plot allocated to more than one individual |
| Public space occupation | Open areas sold or occupied by private individuals |
| High registration fees | Costs remain too high for ordinary citizens |
| Lack of transparency | Surveyed plots not clearly disclosed to the public |
Dalmas Oteher, a director at the State Ministry of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities, admitted corruption exists in land registration. He pointed to mismanagement of ledger books, which record land ownership, as a major source of fraud. He said some staff in the ministry are responsible for illegal multiple allocations of land.
“If there is a ledger book, it should move from plot number 1 to 1000 in sequence. Instead, we see multiple allotments coming from the same records. These irregularities must be addressed,” Oteher said. He added that areas such as Ipalak were surveyed but never disclosed, creating further confusion.
Muras Alphonse Chacha, chairperson of the state assembly’s specialised committee for physical infrastructure, said land fraud in the ministry is fuelling tensions in the community. He called for investigations and accountability for those found guilty of mismanagement.
“The responsibility falls on the ministry to monitor surveyors and ensure accurate records. There should only be one ledger book per location so that ownership is clear and verifiable,” he said.
Community members also raised concerns over high land registration fees, which make it difficult for ordinary families to secure titles.
Parliamentarians said unless corruption in land allocation is addressed, disputes will continue to rise, undermining stability and economic development in Torit. Civil society leaders also noted that unclear land ownership poses risks for investors who need secure land titles before committing to projects.
The South Sudan Law Society stressed that a stronger legal framework and public participation are needed to resolve land issues. It said transparent processes will help both citizens and businesses operate with confidence, reducing disputes and promoting economic growth.