Blog: The MMM/MSM attempt at a Coup d’Etat

The Medpoint case has been a defining moment in the political events of this year. One year after the victory of the Labour/MSM/PMSD alliance at the May 2010 general elections, the MSM resigned from the government on the ground that Maya Hanoomanjee was forced into resigning following her arrest by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Since then, there has been a systematic undermining of the institutions of this country by the MMM and the MSM and even the President of the Republic, the founder of the MSM and father of Pravind Jugnauth, contributed to that insidious campaign following the arrest of his son by ICAC.

The MMM has always been obsessed by power since its creation. It started its attempt of undermining the State of Mauritius by its anarchy-like tactics with wild cat strikes that brought the economy down in the seventies. Not having succeeded it reluctantly accepted the parliamentary game and chose Sir Anerood Jugnauth as its potential prime minister, the leader being Paul Berenger. In 1978 Paul Berenger made serious allegations against Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in parliament and accused him of arson. This allegation came to be known as the Sheikh Hossen affair and it nearly destroyed the government. All the allegations proved to be a pack of lies cunningly concocted by one Sheikh Hossen and easily gulped down by Paul Berenger who relayed them to the public as gospel truth. Then the MMM tried to topple Sir Anerood Jugnauth after the latter became prime minister following the victory of the MMM/PSM at the 1982 elections. New elections had to be held and the newly formed MSM had to get the backing of Labour and the PMSD.

History is repeating itself. Since the Medpoint affair was raised by Paul Berenger both the MMM and the MSM have been levelling baseless accusations against the ICAC and the police. When ICAC started its investigation Paul Berenger stated that l'enquête ouverte par l'Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) sur ce dossier "ne donnera rien". (Weekend 27/02/11). He was instead suggesting the setting up of a Select Committee to look into the matter. Was Paul Berenger afraid of ICAC? The investigation has revealed more than Paul Berenger could anticipate or did anticipate. This is his frustration and he has to undermine that institution by accusing it of politicking but without bringing any solid evidence to back his assertion.

This has been echoed by the MSM following the arrest of Pravind Jugnauth and yet it was Showkatally Soodhun who stated in the press that “il n’y a aucun malaise au sein de l’Alliance de l’Avenir. « Tout se passe bien », a-t-il ajouté. Il fait également ressortir qu’il faut laisser l’Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) faire son travail en toute liberté ». (l’express 23/07/11). And Sir Anerood Jugnauth came with that famous pearl that ICAC pé fané. Yet he is the President of the Republic!

Now the MMM members of the parliamentary committee on ICAC have resigned thus trying to paralyse the functioning of that institution. This is a sheer contempt of parliament. There is a limit to which one should play politics. Why does not the MMM resign en bloc from the Assembly to show their indignation? Pravind Jugnauth is going to the Supreme Court to challenge the manner in which the investigation at ICAC was conducted. It is not clear what prayers he is going to request from the Supreme Court. He must be told that disclosure of materials for the defence is done when that person is indicted before a court of law. As for flaws in the investigation the courts will not generally intervene unless it is a matter of liberty.

When Sir Gaetan Duval was arrested on an alleged charge of murder following the deposition of a known habitual criminal at the residence of Sir Anerood Jugnauth, was the police that is being criticised by the MMM and the MMM, faner then? Sir Gaetan Duval challenged his arrest and the decision to hold a preliminary inquiry against him more than once. The Supreme Court rejected these challenges and held that since an accused would have a fair trial it would be up to the trial court to deal with all the issues. These cases are reported in the Mauritius Reports. Let us see to what extent Pravind Jugnauth will ask public opinion to judge ICAC and the police instead of leaving that task to the courts of law.

As far as the arrest of Showkatally Soodhun and Dr, Joomaye is concerned we now see a thinktank meddling in an investigation. This is unacceptable. An allegation has been made against Navin Ramgoolam and he lodged a complaint with the police. Should the police simply brush this aside? What if the police start ignoring any complaint made by a member of the public? Isn’t the prime minister entitled to use the legal structures of the country? Why didn’t Paul Berenger, Showkatally Soodhun and Dr. Joomaye file a complaint in writing with the police on the allegations? They did not for fear of having to answer a charge of false and malicious denunciation in writing. It is easy to level allegations. Paul Berenger of Sheikh Hossen fame excels in that. Now his newly found ally whom he sacrificed to the benefit of Ashock Jugnauth is emulating him. What a gang!

The bottom-line is that the campaign started by the MMM in the wake of the Medpoint affair was a well engineered plan to undermine the government and the institutions of the country. We bet that if the Director of Public Prosecutions advises prosecution against Pravind Jugnauth under the Prevention of Corruption Act and against Soodhun and Dr. Joomaye for conspiracy, he will be accused of being the political stooge of the government by the MMM and the MSM. And if a court of law convicts these people then the judiciary may face a similar accusation coming from the MMM and the MSM. The MMM and the MSM are doing everything to destroy the State and its institutions and lead the country on the path of anarchy and non accountability.