Vice President’s Family Denies Social Media Allegations Over Land Dispute
A land dispute in South Sudan has sparked misinformation on social media, falsely implicating Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Vice President for the Economic Cluster, in forcibly seizing and demolishing the homes of liberation war veterans and their families.
A family spokesperson, Mel Tong Mel, dismissed the claims as unfounded, describing them as a deliberate attempt to damage the Vice President’s reputation.
“I want to inform the general public that the misinformation spread by some media outlets and individuals claiming that Dr. Bol Mel grabbed land from the late general’s widow is not true,” said Mel. “Such false accusations are misleading and harmful.”
According to Mel, the situation stems from an act of compassion by a member of Dr. Bol Mel’s family, who temporarily sheltered a woman facing eviction from a disputed plot of land. During a period of eviction and demolition affecting the area, the woman reportedly stated she had nowhere else to go. In response, she was offered temporary shelter and financial support to relocate — an offer she allegedly refused.
“This woman claimed she had ownership documents for two plots on the land,” Mel explained. “However, when the case was investigated and presented in court, she failed to produce any legal documentation proving her claims.”
Mel stated that the legal case continued until 2022, and despite several appeals — including to the High Court — it was determined that the woman had no legal right to the land. He added that the woman did not disclose her claim early enough to be included in the original court proceedings.
“Despite the ruling, she refused to vacate the property. A formal demolition order was issued following her continued refusal to leave,” Mel said.
He emphasized that all actions were carried out according to due legal process, and supported by evidence submitted in court.
“We are ready to provide documents to anyone who wants clarification,” Mel added. “It’s important for the public to understand the facts before spreading unverified claims.”
The incident highlights growing tensions around land ownership in Juba and the wider implications of misinformation tied to powerful public figures.
On Friday, the Vice President’s Family denies social media allegations debunking a statement that was posted by Agel Ring Machar, by saying that Crown Prince Allegedly Humiliates Three Widows of a Liberation War Veteran!
The individual who claimed he would protect all liberation veterans from humiliation is now allegedly using his new powers to seize and demolish houses belonging to liberation veterans in front of their vulnerable widows and orphans. This comes after the veterans won their case against him in court back in 2022.
We continue to warn our senior comrades, especially Baba Kiirdit, to exercise caution around the Crown Prince.
“We have known him since our days in the Red Army in Ethiopia, and people will come to regret trusting him. Case Study: The late General Tut Thuoch’s house near the NRA,” Machar said.
However, Deng Marol, an eyewitness, said that this case has been in court since 2022.
“As I speak to you, I do not know Dr. Benjamin Bol because I only know one woman who bought the land some years ago, not Dr. Bol Benjamin. For those who claim that Dr. Bol grabbed the land of a widow of the late general, it is not true.”
