Lawyer urges police, Juba Municipality to prosecute managers allowing minors in nightclubs

City lawyer raises concern after videos circulated widely on social media showing teenagers frequenting various nightclubs in Juba, in what has opened a can of worms on society and child social-wellbeing

By The City Review

Human rights lawyer Josephine Adhet Deng has called on the National Police Service and the Juba City Council to intervene immediately and summon owners and managers of hotels and nightclubs in the capital, following reports of minors being allowed into the entertainment joints, an issue, she said, is illegal.

Adhet raised the issue after videos circulated widely on social media showing teenagers frequenting various nightclubs in Juba. In statements to a local radio station, the lawyer noted that the physical appearance of many of the individuals in the videos suggests they are of ages ranging between 11 and 15 years.

The lawyer reiterated the government decree issued last year, which strictly prohibits individuals under the age of 18 from entering nightclubs and discos. She criticized some operators for disregarding official regulations and demanded strict enforcement of age restrictions through the implementation of identity checks at entry points in nightclubs. She also condemned the practice of some establishments filming these young people without their knowledge and posting the footage on their social media pages to increase views and promote their businesses.

While Adhet confirmed that she was yet to file formal criminal complaint against any institution, she urged national and municipal authorities to insist on operators of these establishments to sign written pledges guaranteeing the enforcement of the ban and the protection of children. “My message to the owners and managers of these clubs is to abide by the law and protect children. Those under 18 should be immediately barred, while those over the legal age are welcome,” she said.

Consequences of young people entering in entertainment joints can be grave.

Seasoned journalist Jimmy Murwira says when minors enter nightclubs and bars, they step into an environment they are not emotionally and mentally prepared to navigate. The risks extend far beyond Shisha and alcohol, he says.

“Young teenagers can be exposed to drug dealers who prey on their curiosity and vulnerability. They may also encounter older individuals who manipulate or exploit them. Nightlife settings can also expose them to trafficking dangers, predatory behaviour and violence,” he adds.

According to Murwira, repeated exposure to such environments can reshape a young person’s behaviour, leading to addiction, reduced academic performance, strained family relationships and long term emotional instability.

He says stopping this trend requires bold, coordinated action, not from one institution, but from society as a whole.

“Parents must re-establish firm boundaries in their children’s lives. Teenagers need guidance, structure and supervision not excessive freedom disguised as trust. Active parenting means knowing where children are, who they associate with and how they spend their evenings,” he says, adding:

“Communities should revive the culture where adults took shared responsibility for safeguarding children.”

According to Murwira, when minors are seen late at night around bars and clubs, adults should feel empowered to intervene, not out of judgment, but concern.

“A child protected by a community is far safer than a child left to navigate life unsupervised,” he explains, adding that operators must implement strict age-verification systems and face meaningful penalties if caught allowing minors into their establishments.

Utilities

“Communities should revive the culture where adults took shared responsibility for safeguarding children.”- seasoned journalist, Jimmy Murwira.