TROUKLER A brilliant piece of investigative journalism by the Seychelles Nation

TROUKLER

A brilliant piece of investigative journalism by the Seychelles Nation

On Monday, 15/01/07, in the news bulletin in Creole at 8 pm, SBC Television reported that police has uncovered arms and ammunitions in a search they conducted at a house in West Mahe occupied by Czech nationals. They showed photographs of the people involved and gave an almost detailed account of the story. However, the one and only daily newsprint in the country, the Seychelles Nation, astounded its patrons and the community at large in the way they reported on the matter. We will let you decide for yourself by reproducing below exactly how the story was reported on, by the Editor of The Seychelles Nation;

Lapolis i dekouver zarm ek lezot zouti dan en lakaz

"Lapolis in raporte ki swivan lafouy fer dan serten lakaz dan rezyon Was Mahe okipe par dimoun avek nasyonalite Czech, zot in dekouver e sezi 2 pistol, aminisyon (boulet), 3 fizi pwason, 5 barb ek en dager.

An relasyon avek sa dekouvert, lapolis in aret e pe detenir 2 dimoun antretan ki lanket I knotinyen."

The above was published in very small prints on page 2 in VOL. XXX NO.9 – Monday January 15, in The Seychelles Nation. Unless you were looking out for the article, you could have easily missed the story altogether. I did, I had to call The Seychelles Nation to ask if they are not reporting on the matter, because I had heard about it on the streets and wanted to know more. They (Seychelles Nation) directed me to the article on this page

VANDALISM A CURSE OF SOCIETY!

Mr. Ravin Sunasee, PUC’s planning manager expressed “serious concern” about an increasing number of cases of vandalism on electrical devices along the main roads. According to Mr. Sunasee people are tampering and damaging with switchgears, which can easily lead to unwarranted power cuts. One such case happened last Sunday evening affecting many customers.

The incident resulted in a power outage affecting hundreds of households from Mont Fleuri to United Concrete Products Seychelles at Anse Des Genets for the good part of two hours last Sunday. Apparently, an individual interfered with switchgear devices on the main road near the Special Support Unit Headquarters, Petit Paris. The corporation has an idea of who is responsible for the incident. Investigation on the matter is still ongoing. PUC engineers said that the overhead switchgears carries 11,000 kilovolts and is well capable of causing death to inexperience individuals messing with the devices. It is also an offence under the law to interfere with the devices, which are national properties.

The switchgears should be maintained in the “on” position at all times and should only be interfered with by qualify authorised personnel from PUC. Vandals suspected of interfering with the device are breaking the padlocks used to hold the apparatus in the “on” position.

The company (PUC) has stated that it is their goal to deliver safe and reliable electricity to all its customers and expects the cooperation of the public in maintaining uninterrupted electricity supply to the consumers. Our advice to the public is to contact the police or PUC if anyone is spotted vandalizing any equipment belonging to the Corporation. It is the duty of every one of us to help protect national properties; it is our money after all.

However, PUC must not abuse on our support and cooperation by blaming all electricity cuts and other mishap on vandalism. We count on them to be above board in this matter.