A senior South Sudanese religious leader has died in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday.

Rev. John Tong Puk, a Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC) pastor and dean of studies at Nile Theological College in Juba, was pronounced dead after visiting his family in Khartoum.

"This morning SSPEC leadership received sad news from Khartoum - Sudan that Rev. John Tong Puk, senior pastor and dean of studies of Nile Theological College N. T.C had passed away in Khartoum; He was visiting his family in Khartoum. This is a big loss," reads a letter from SSPEC head office.