Mamy Ravatomanga, a Malagasy businessman, appeared before the Supreme Court in Mauritius under heavy police escort on Wednesday. He was taken straight from his cell at Melrose prison to answer questions under oath before the Master and Registrar, Wendy Rangan. The questioning is part of a commission rogatoire, a formal channel for gathering evidence between countries. Ravatomanga's responses are related to the Boeing affair, a saga involving aircraft deals in Madagascar.
Ravatomanga's lawyer, Khushal Lobine, stated that his client had signed an affidavit in French the night before and had it translated into English. Senior State Counsel Durga Daby requested time to study the document before the state takes a position on the matter. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 26. Ravatomanga's occupation was listed as the chief executive of a company. The request for his written answers originated from an order on May 25, which was directed to the Attorney-General.
In a separate development in Mauritius, residents in St-Paul blocked the main road on Wednesday night, protesting the lack of water in the area. The government has promised to drill ten new boreholes, which will provide an additional 31,000 cubic meters of water per day. Fifteen containerized filtration units will also be deployed to alleviate the shortage at the La Marie treatment plant. Public Utilities Minister Patrick Assirvaden warned that the situation will worsen before the rains arrive in two months.
The water shortage issue is not limited to St-Paul, as residents in Highlands also expressed their frustration. The government's plan aims to address the shortfall in water supply, but it may take some time to implement. Meanwhile, in Roche-Bois, the government has announced a Rs 100 million overhaul of the area, which includes a revamped Kaya stadium, a food court, and an amphitheater. Housing and Lands Minister Shakeel Mohamed called on private firms to help fund the project.
Civil servants in Mauritius are demanding a 30% increase in travel allowances and mileage rates due to the rising fuel costs. The Federation of Civil Service unions argues that the current rates are insufficient, given the high cost of petrol and diesel. With petrol at Rs 77.70 per liter and diesel at Rs 78.35 per liter, many employees are struggling to cover their commuting expenses. The unions are seeking a review of the current rates to reflect the actual costs.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Rashid Ahmine, expressed support for the proposed National Crime Agency, saying it can make a significant difference in the fight against organized crime. The agency is part of a broader justice overhaul, which is being prepared by Attorney General Gavin Glover. The police chief and a former prosecutions head also attended a roundtable discussion on the agency. The government aims to strengthen its efforts to combat crime and improve the justice system.
In other news, Kenya has recorded its first Ebola case and death, a man who had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization and Médecins Sans Frontières have expressed concerns about the spread of the virus in Congo's North Kivu province, where the situation is described as out of control. Africa is also launching its own credit rating agency to challenge global firms and provide more accurate ratings for the continent's governments.
Key points
- Mamy Ravatomanga answers questions from a prison cell in Mauritius regarding the Boeing affair.
- Residents in St-Paul protest the lack of water, and the government promises to drill new boreholes to alleviate the shortage.
- Civil servants demand a 30% increase in travel allowances and mileage rates due to rising fuel costs.
