Constable Warren David Govinden, 30, assigned to the National Coast Guard (NCG) boat CGS Guardian, was brought before the Curepipe Magistrate’s Court this Monday morning, April 25, on a provisional charge of “damaging government vehicle”. The resident of Cité Malgalkhan, Floréal was arrested on the afternoon of Saturday, April 23, following the violent clashes between the police and the inhabitants of this locality on the night of Friday, April 22.
Warren Govinden, armed with a sword, was seen by police officers damaging two tires of a Special Mobile Force (SMF) vehicle.
On the night of Friday, April 22, violent incidents broke out on Floréal Road in Cité Malgalkhan near the soccer field. A group of about one hundred very excited people had massed at this place. Tree trunks, pieces of blocks and burning tires were placed on the road. These incidents were followed by the one that started in the area of Camp-Levieux to protest against price increases in the country.
It was around 11:20 pm on Friday, April 22, when the police of Floréal were alerted to this illegal gathering. The assistance of the SMF, the Special Supporting Unit, the Criminal Investigation Division and the Divisional Supporting Unit was requested shortly after midnight on Saturday April 23. By the time these officers arrived, the crowd had become even more hostile. Rocks were thrown at the officers and police vehicles. Using a loudspeaker, the demonstrators were warned that this gathering was illegal. When the crowd resisted, the SMF and SSU had no choice but to fire tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd, but the crowd retaliated by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. During this incident, two DSU officers saw Constable Govinden, whom they know very well, come in with a sword in his right hand and then strike two blows on a front and rear tire of a police vehicle.
He was then arrested on Saturday, April 23 at around 1 p.m. during a police raid on his home. The police found two 63.5 centimeter swords and an improvised plastic cylinder, commonly known as a “Bong”. Warren Govinden was taken to the CID office for questioning. He denied the charge against him of “damaging government property”. However, he was identified by the two DSU officers.
He was brought before the Bail and Remand Court in Port Louis on Saturday, April 23. On Monday, April 25, he was again brought before the court in Curepipe where the police did not object to his release on parole. At the police headquarters at the Central Barracks, it is suggested that procedures will be initiated to have him banned from his duties.
