Four police officers, including Sergeant Gautam Singh Taukoor, have been barred from duty pending an investigation into the shooting of Élodie Thomas. The incident occurred on Friday at Camp-Levieux, leaving Thomas gravely wounded. Taukoor appeared in court on Saturday on a provisional charge of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. The three other officers were present at the scene but allegedly did not provide assistance to Thomas, whose life was in danger.
A medical team of 13 from India, led by Dr Rakesh Jalla of KIMS Hospitals, will arrive on Monday to help treat Thomas. The team, consisting of eight highly specialised doctors and five support staff, will provide their services free of charge. Minister Anil Bachoo met with the local medical team at Victoria Hospital on Sunday to plan a complex operation. According to Bachoo, Thomas's vital signs are stable, and the medical team is hopeful of a successful treatment.
The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), has not yet received a complaint or referral regarding the incident. As a result, its inquiry has not yet begun. The IPCC will investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the actions of the officers involved. The incident has raised concerns about police conduct and the use of firearms.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the incident, Tirvassen Soobrayen, has come forward with a statement. According to Soobrayen, one of the officers pointed a gun at him during the incident. The IPCC will likely investigate Soobrayen's claims and determine whether the officers followed proper protocol.
The shooting incident has brought attention to the living conditions in certain areas of Mauritius. More than 200 tin shacks are located on the slope above Cité La Cure, where over a thousand Mauritians reside. The shacks have been described as inhumane, with metal walls that can become extremely hot during the summer months. Residents have been waiting for a plan to improve their living conditions, but so far, none has been implemented.
In other news, around fifty employees at three TotalEnergies stations in Mauritius are set to be replaced by workers from South Asia. The stations, located in Flic-en-Flac, Belle-Vue, and Rainbow, will undergo a change in staff due to a shortage of local labour, according to the company. However, customers have expressed their support for the current staff, with around 700 regular customers signing a petition.
The hotel group Attitude has been certified as Mauritius's Best Workplace for the fifth consecutive year. The certification, awarded by the Great Place to Work institute, is based on anonymous staff surveys that assess trust, fairness, and pride in the workplace. The achievement is notable in the tourism sector, which often relies on foreign hires. The national Divali celebrations will take place on October 24 at the Port Louis Waterfront.
Key points
- Four police officers barred from duty over Élodie Thomas shooting
- Medical team from India to help treat Élodie Thomas
- Over 200 tin shacks in Cité La Cure described as inhumane living conditions
