For Xavier-Luc Duval, there are three types of police officers: sadists and sick people, those who were aware of the acts of torture and those who had nothing to do with it. For the Opposition leader, who was facing the press this morning alongside the leaders of the Linion Sitwayin, “we must purge the police of its sadistic and sick elements”. According to him, these people no longer have a place in the police. Xavier-Luc Duval also called for the immediate dismissal of DCP Heman Jangi. The latter, according to him, cannot remain one minute longer in office. The Opposition leader accuses him of cover-up. For Xavier-Luc Duval, it is clear that the police were aware of these videos but there was no investigation. That is why, he said, that DCP Heman Jangi cannot remain in charge of the island’s CIDs. On the alleged police torture, Xavier-Luc Duval also questioned the fate of those “thousands of people” who, over the years, have been wrongly sentenced to prison because of confessions extracted under torture. The future of these people has been shattered forever. For him, something must be done for these people.
Economy: “We must do everything to avoid a downgrade,” says Duval
The leader of the Opposition also commented on the economic situation, especially with the 2022-2023 Budget just days away. For him, the first priority is to relieve the population and the second is to prevent a possible downgrading by Moody’s. Xavier-Luc Duval said that this is hanging over our heads. He added that in case of a downgrading, Mauritius will be just above junk status. “In French, it means waste and in Kreol, it means dirt. The Jugnauth government will give Mauritian banks the status of garbage and dirt,” he said. That is why, added Xavier-Luc Duval, that the Mauritius Bankers Association has sent a very tough memo to the government and the Minister of Finance is saying that the country must mandatorily reduce its debts to prevent a downgrade.
“There are five former chief justices… the GM has plenty to choose from,” says Berenger
For Paul Bérenger, Pravind Jugnauth, as Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, is primarily responsible for the current situation regarding the alleged police torture. “Pravind Jugnauth and his government have rotten or weakened, but more rotten, all institutions in Mauritius,” he said. Paul Bérenger also spoke about the request of the Platform L’Espoir for the institution of a Commission of Inquiry, chaired by a former chief judge. He said that the government has the embarrassment of choice because there are 5 former chief judges available. He also reiterated Hope’s demand for the departure of Heman Jangi. “This is the only country in the world where we have an Assistant Commissioner of Police on contract. He is already a resident. He has to go,” he said, noting that there are many people in the police force, who are competent and have integrity.
Nando Bodha, of the Mauritian Rally, wants “political will” to solve the country’s problems, including the debt, in view of the Budget. “We need to review our priorities and stop manipulating the figures,” said the RM leader. Finally, the leader of Reform Party, Roshi Bhadain spoke of the frustration of some police officers when it comes to promotion within the police force. “Some of them have 34 years of experience and the necessary qualifications to be promoted”, said Roshi Bhadain, adding that when the current regime is no longer in power, things will change in terms of the promotions within the police force.
