A Southern Sudanese minister and his bodyguard were fatally shot Monday in Juba, authorities said.

Rural Development Minister Jimmy Lemi Milla was shot by his driver, said spokesman Philip Auger of the Sudan's People's Liberation Army.

Auger said the driver was detained.

"The gun was taken from him and he was arrested," he said.

Juba is the capital of Southern Sudan, which recently voted to split from the government based in north Sudan.

Southern Sudan is expected to become the world's newest country in July.

No more information was immediately available on the shooting.

(CNN) --