The repercussions of the Franklin affair, far from over, are already a reality check with a huge thump for all our institutions and authorities, high and low
By Jan Arden
After three years of painstaking work, the commission of inquiry on drug trafficking set up by late PM Sir Aneerood Jugnauth (SAJ) and chaired by former Puisne Judge Paul Lam Shang Leen with two assessors, was made public in July 2018. By that time, in January 2017, SAJ had resigned, and his PM post taken over by his son, Hon Pravind Jugnauth. The latter announced in August that a taskforce headed by the director general of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), would enquire further into the matters raised by the drug commission.
However, in almost the same breath, the then Prime Minister stated that the principal measure, namely the dismantling of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), would not be implemented. This left many observers somewhat bemused about the PM’s marked public trust in ADSU, or the utility of the taskforce quite aside from its obvious incongruity on constitutional grounds as the Police Commissioner, a constitutionally independent post, would be reporting to the ICAC Director. Since then, the PM has missed no opportunity on all platforms and during the electoral hustings of 2019, to express his full confidence in the ADSU which was, according to him, delivering tangible results.Read More… Become a Subscriber
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 17 March 2023
An Appeal
Dear Reader
65 years ago Mauritius Times was founded with a resolve to fight for justice and fairness and the advancement of the public good. It has never deviated from this principle no matter how daunting the challenges and how costly the price it has had to pay at different times of our history.
With print journalism struggling to keep afloat due to falling advertising revenues and the wide availability of free sources of information, it is crucially important for the Mauritius Times to survive and prosper. We can only continue doing it with the support of our readers.
The best way you can support our efforts is to take a subscription or by making a recurring donation through a Standing Order to our non-profit Foundation.
Thank you.
