On October 6, 2026, Mauritius' Minister of Housing and Lands, Shakeel Mohamed, visited Coteau-Raffin to assess the situation of several families who have been regularized by the state but still lack access to basic amenities like water and electricity. The visit was prompted by concerns from around 40 families who have been living on the site for 15 to 20 years without proper infrastructure.
The families face significant challenges, including a lack of lighting on the path they take to work in the early morning hours, and children often have to leave their shoes at home to attend school. The issue highlights the complexities of regularization, which falls under the Housing Ministry, while connections to water and electricity are the responsibility of the Central Water Authority (CWA) and the Central Electricity Board (CEB), respectively.
Minister Mohamed was accompanied by representatives from the CEB, CWA, Land Drainage Authority (LDA), and the president of the Rivière-Noire district council, Khemraj Ortoo. The minister emphasized that providing a solution to these families is about restoring their dignity and noted that it is unacceptable for such conditions to persist in 2026.
The visit led to discussions on the necessary works to provide the families with access to water and electricity. It was revealed that estimates for the works had been made in 2024 and 2025, but the funds were never allocated. The minister has committed to seeking financing from the Finance Ministry, the Prime Minister's office, and the Energy Ministry.
To address the infrastructure issues, the path needs to be cleared of debris to allow for the passage of trucks, which is a prerequisite for the rest of the construction work. For electricity, existing lines on the site need to be redefined, with the minister stressing the importance of doing everything legally. Drainage works are also planned in collaboration with the LDA to mitigate flood risks.
In addition to addressing the concerns of regularized families, Minister Mohamed also plans to regularize the status of around 20 other families currently occupying land without titles. He has tasked his ministry's surveyors with identifying the occupants concerned. Furthermore, the site poses another challenge as part of it is designated as a public beach, but it is inaccessible to the public due to illegal structures.
The minister expressed his surprise and disappointment at the state of the public beach, where new occupants are moving in, attracted by the ongoing regularization efforts. He vowed to take a firm stance against those attempting to circumvent the rules or engage in illicit transactions, ensuring that those who have been waiting for years for a solution will be prioritized.
Key points
- The Mauritian government has committed to resolving the issues faced by families in Coteau-Raffin.
- Minister Shakeel Mohamed's visit aimed to address the concerns of families lacking access to basic amenities despite being regularized.
- The situation highlights the need for better coordination between different government agencies to address housing and infrastructure challenges.
