“Mo envi”. These are the words pronounced to 31 years old South African national, settled in Mauritius for eleven years and holder of a work permit by Jean Arnaud Steward Hypolite 27 years old and resident of Camp Rodrigues, Black River. The latter also forced her to watch a pornographic video by placing his cell phone in front of her eyes.
This case dates to Wednesday morning, May 10. The South African was returning home to La Preneuse after dropping off her son at a preschool. On her way home, she met an individual who introduced himself to her as David. He was trying to engage her in a conversation in Creole. The stranger tried to ignore him and continued her way. But the individual who was playing music on his cell phone was walking behind her. At one point he grabbed her blouse from behind before placing his cell phone with a pornographic video playing in front of her.
The thirty-year-old explained in her statement made on Thursday, May 11 that she was humiliated by this act, especially since the man was also making obscene gestures.
She said she immediately crossed to the left side of the road. The man who had watched her leave had declared, “you have beautiful face”.
At that precise moment, she explained to the police that she felt in danger. In her statement she had also added that she could recognize this man.
A police operation mounted on Friday, May 12, led to the arrest of the suspect. Arnaud Hypolite was brought before the court of Bambous the same day and kept in a police cell until Friday, May 19. After this appearance, he was taken back into custody. A motion for his release on parole will be debated on Wednesday, May 25.
