Pressure is mounting on Juba’s acting mayor to resign after he was alledgedly caught on camera slapping a female street vendor.
The latest criticism comes from the Chamber of Commerce in Central Equatoria State, who say Emmanuel Khamis Richard acted in an “uncivilized way”.
Their letter also says vendors deserve respect as “people who are hustling in order to make ends meet” and “put foot on the table”.
In footage posted on social media, it appears Mr Khamis slapped the female vendor with his right hand while holding a pistol in his left hand at one of the capital city’s roundabouts.
The video went viral earlier this week. The mayor has not commented since, and remains in post despite public condemnation and a letter from MPs unanimously calling for his removal.
The MPs’ letter has not been acted upon by Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony of Central Equatoria State.
Mr Khamis is not new to controversy. Weeks after he took office in June, he issued a decree almost doubling the price of water drums in Juba. After a public outcry the government ordered him to drop the policy.