Replying to a question from Labour MP Stephanie Anquetil, the Prime Minister said that authorities, including officers from the Ministry of Gender Equality and a psychologist from the ministry, had visited the mother’s home on several occasions.
Indicted on a provisional charge of “seriously endangering the health of her minor child” on November 7 in the District Court of Port-Louis, Sylvannie M, the mother of the baby placed in the intensive care unit of the Pamplemousses hospital, in a serious condition, “is not cooperating with the authorities”, underlined the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, during the parliamentary proceedings of this Tuesday November 15.
Prime Minister Jugnauth stated: On Friday 04 November 2022, the maternal grandmother accompanied her daughter Mrs S.J.M to the Tardy Declaration of Birth Office of the Ministry. On the same day, needful was done by CDU officers to draw the affidavit and petition for the mother to lodge a case at the Port Louis District Court with respect to the tardy declaration of the child. However, Mrs S.J.M hastily left the premises of the Court when questioned about two other minors still under her care. As at date, the procedures for tardy declaration of birth have not been completed, and the advice of the Attorney General’s Office has been sought on the way forward.
I am also informed by the Commissioner of Police that, on Monday 07 November 2022, during investigation, Police arrested Mrs S.J.M. After enquiry she was provisionally charged with the offence of ‘Family Abandonment’ in breach of Section 260 (3) of the Criminal Code before Port-Louis District Court on Tuesday 08 November 2022. Police objected to her release on bail and she was remanded to Police Cell up to Tuesday 15 November 2022. On Friday 11 November 2022, Mrs S.J.M was released on bail after furnishing a surety of Rs 3000 and entering a recognizance of Rs 20,000. She will appear court on Wednesday 18 January 2023. Enquiry into the case is proceeding.
Walk out for the rest of the day , Speaker tells Bérenger
During the Prime Minister’s Question Time, Paul Bérenger was expelled by the Speaker of the National Assembly. The Prime Minister was responding to a question on the case of the baby in the care of the shelter L’Oiseau du Paradis. Majority MP, Vikash Nuckcheddy wanted to know the number of cases of child abandonment since 2010. There was a brouhaha. The Speaker asked for calm to be restored. Then, Sooroojdev Phokeer had an exchange with Paul Bérenger before inviting him to “walk out for the rest of the day.” The Speaker even added: “God bless you. You are a great man.”
