The Mauritian government has achieved a record state revenue of Rs 235.5 billion for the current year, up from Rs 136 billion five years ago. This significant increase comes as households in the country face financial difficulties. A commuter spends around Rs 9,400 monthly on bus fares and midday meals, which is over half the minimum wage before rent. Homeowners are dealing with mortgage rates not seen since 2013, while retirees have seen a 5% increase in the cost of a standard shopping basket.
The Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) has seized Rs 16.4 million worth of cannabis from a Dubai flight. Officers arrested a 30-year-old man at SSR airport, finding ten sealed black packets containing 10.94 kilos of cannabis. The suspect faces importation and trafficking charges. The ADSU, working with customs, also seized a Malaysian passport, three boarding passes, a luggage tag, and some foreign cash.
A tragic incident occurred at Plaine-des-Papayes, where three Bangladeshi workers died when a crate of 41 glass panes fell on them. The workers were unloading the crate from a shipping container on Mosque Road. The emergency medical service and the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service responded quickly to the scene. The police have moved the bodies to Dr A. G. Jeetoo Hospital for autopsy.
Mauritius and Seychelles have partnered to survey the Mascarene Plateau seabed. The geoscientific and seismic study, conducted by the firm CGG, maps a vast shelf shared by the two states. The survey's findings will determine the future use of the seabed, potentially for fisheries or minerals. Prime Minister Ramgoolam announced the collaboration.
Planters in Mauritius are facing challenges due to a dry spell, an ageing workforce, and shifting pesticide rules. Growers expressed their grievances at a recent planters' meeting, citing irrigation water scarcity and a shortage of workers. The situation is further complicated by cheaper imported produce.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) received Rs 3.42 billion in tax returns from 324,921 filings by the end of the 2026 tax season. The audits are ongoing, and the MRA will review the returns. Africa Specialty Risks, a reinsurer, now handles $500 million in yearly premiums, marking its fifth year on the island. The company is promoting Mauritius as the region's reinsurance hub.
In other news, South Africa's local elections took place, with the African National Congress (ANC) facing a tough test. President Cyril Ramaphosa cast his ballot amid concerns over failing services and crumbling infrastructure. The outcome may impact the ANC's position before the next national vote. Additionally, Kenya's Phoebe Okowa has been elected to the International Court of Justice, and Democrats have taken control of Congress in the United States.
Key points
- Mauritius' state revenue hits a record Rs 235.5 billion.
- Households in Mauritius face financial strain due to rising costs.
- The ADSU seizes Rs 16.4 million worth of cannabis from a Dubai flight.
