The Mayor of Rumbek Town, Kuol Mathubier, has warned hotel managers against allowing unmarried couples to use their facilities for what he described as “fun”.
Speaking to the media, Mathubier called on hotel owners and managers across Rumbek Town to take responsibility for protecting the moral and cultural values of the community.
“This discussion of banning people who are not married or children from using hotels for relationship and fun was reached by us the authorities in one of our meetings and i am directing hotel managers in Rumbek Town not to allow their facilities to be use for short-time stays or fun, it spoiled families,” Mathubier said.
He added that such practices could promote immorality and undermine traditional values.
The mayor argued that hotels have a responsibility beyond providing accommodation and should ensure that their premises are not used in ways that conflict with the community’s traditional norms.
“Hotels should not become places where practices that undermine our traditional values are promoted the decision for them to above illegal couples from using their facilities was reached out by authorities in Rumbek not my own alone,” he warned.
Mathubier said allowing unmarried people to use hotels for such purposes could contribute to what he termed immoral behavior within the community.
“Allowing unmarried or young people who are not married to use hotels for such purposes can encourage immorality in our communities,” he said.
He urged hotel managers to respect his request and cooperate with local authorities in maintaining what he described as the traditional standards of Rumbek society.
“Our traditional values must be respected, and every institution in our community has a responsibility to contribute to that effort,” Mathubier said.
He added that the hotels that will violate the orders will be punished.
The Mayor’s remarks come amid broader concerns in South Sudanese communities about changing social values, particularly among young people, and the perceived impact of commercial entertainment and hospitality businesses on traditional norms.
Hotels and guesthouses have become increasingly common in urban centres such as Rumbek, providing accommodation for residents, visitors, business travellers and other guests.
At the same time, some community leaders have raised concerns about the use of hotel rooms for relationships and activities they consider contrary to local cultural expectations.
Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, has a predominantly traditional social structure in which community leaders and elders continue to play an important role in promoting cultural values and resolving social concerns.
Mathubier reaffirmed that his administration would continue advocating for respect for traditional norms, while calling on hotel managers and members of the community to support efforts to maintain what he described as acceptable standards of conduct.