Six journalists held over video of president ‘wetting himself’
The footage was widely shared last month and shows a dark stain spreading down President Salva Kiir’s trousers and a wet patch forming on the floor as he stands for the national anthem.
The national journalists’ union said those held work for the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation and were detained on Tuesday and Wednesday.
They are suspected of knowing how the video was released, said union president Patrick Oyet.
He named them as camera operators Joseph Oliver and Mustafa Osman; video editor Victor Lado; contributor Jacob Benjamin; and Cherbek Ruben and Joval Toombe from the control room.
“We are concerned because those who are detained now have stayed longer than what the law says,” added Mr Oyet.
The law in South Sudan states that people should be detained for a maximum 24 hours before seeing a judge.
Mr Kiir, 71, has been leader since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but the UN says violence and insecurity still plague the country.
There hasn’t been a presidential election since he came to power, and one recently scheduled was postponed again to 2024.
Officials have denied rumours on social media that he is unwell but the footage has been cited as evidence he’s not fit to lead.
Others have said the dissemination of the clip was disrespectful.
