South Sudan ministers face corruption probe
South Sudan ministers to face corruption probe after president lifts their immunity
JUBA, South Sudan (AP) -- The president of South Sudan has suspended two of his ministers and ordered an investigation into corruption allegations against them.
In a presidential decree read Tuesday night, President Salva Kiir said he was lifting immunity for Finance Minister Kosti Manibe Ngai and his Cabinet Affairs colleague Deng Alor Kuol.
Officials say some $7.95 million was transferred for the alleged purchase of anti-fire safes, but those goods were never delivered.
The suspended finance minister said the safes had been ordered earlier this year and that an investigation committee would have access to all the documents.
Corruption has plagued South Sudan's government since the 2005 peace deal that ended more than 20 years of civil war with Sudan. South Sudan seceded and formed its own country following a July 2011 referendum.
