ALLEGATION OF CORRUPTION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE
A South African lady has filed a case before the Supreme Court asking the Court to set aside the decision of the Minister of Internal Affairs (who is none other than President James Michel) after the Minister refused her appeal to have her deportation from Seychelles revoked. The lady, who is married to a Seychellois and has a Seychellois child, was deported from Seychelles some time back for what appears to be dubious reasons. Until today she has sought an explanation from the government but to no avail.
The lady has made certain damaging allegations, which, if true, will be a blow to the Michel government. The lady claims that certain government official at the Immigration Department had asked her for USD 25,000 in return for a passport. When she refused to pay she was swiftly deported from Seychelles breaking up her family and causing her and her Seychellois born child to live in exile while her husband lives in Seychelles. The matter was brought to the attention of President James Michel recently and he has promised to carry out an in depth investigation. At the time of going to press this paper does not know whether this allegation has or is being investigated by the President.
If the allegation is proven to be true, this is very damaging for President James Michel’s government as it clearly shows that corruption is rife in the Civil Service. This is consistent with an International Report which was published recently which clearly stated that the perception of corruption in Seychelles is very high indeed. This is all the more reason why James Michel should make it compulsory for high level civil servants to declare their assets. Furthermore, it is now imperative for the government to swiftly implement the much awaited Anti-Corruption Commission similar to Kenya, Mauritius and other countries in the region.
This also follows another incident where the Principal Secretary gave another South African who had lived in Seychelles for more than 10 years and invested heavily in the country 7 days to leave the Country with a threat of deportation if he failed to do so. This decision was later overturned by Vice President Belmont who was acting President at the time. The Supreme Court also granted an injunction against the decision on the application of the aggrieved person. The foreigner was so disgusted by the way he was treated that he decided to leave Seychelles anyway and has now invested substantially in neighbouring Tanzania. There have also been complaints by lawyers that unlike FAR appeal to the President in cases of this nature is not being dealt with by the President personally as is required by law but rather by government officials who would only rubber stamp whatever decision has been taken by the Principal Secretary. Thus the complainant is not given a fair hearing at all. It is hoped that President James Michel will personally look into these matters and render a fair decision if only to clean up the already damaged reputation of our country!!!
