SEYCHELLES is fast gaining the unenviable reputation of being a playground for the rich and arrogant Arabs, Russians and South Africans who flock here intent on flashing their money, bling bling and arrogance everywhere they go. Although it is illegal to be in possession of spear fishing equipment and to use them to catch fish here, a privilege few enjoys this luxury with impunity.
This newspaper has received credible information confirming that certain owners of the super yachts anchored at the Eden Island and the Wharf Hotel marina are engaging in this illegal activity with the knowledge and consent of the powers that be. However, nothing is being done to curtail this illegal activity for fear of upsetting the newly found millionaire friends of the President who bring much needed hard currency to our shores. At the rate things are going their dollars might come in handy at the next Presidential elections if Michel is overlooked by his SPPF peers for the job! Michel might decide to go it alone with or without the SPPF using his friends' money if push comes to shove.
The culprits are mostly Arabs and they claim to be personal friends of President Michel. Sadly, the fish are not speared for consumption. They do it just for the sheer pleasure of it; the fish are then thrown away and left to die a slow and painful death. We are reliably informed that recently, one of the yachts dropped anchor just off the beach at Fregate Island after a heavy session of spear fishing.
The millionaires were promptly informed that they could not dis-embark on the island. They were told that the resort do not normally cater for day trippers. In any event, prior arrangement should have been made through the General Manager if they had wanted to come onshore to visit the island or to lunch at the resort's restaurant, they were told.
The Arab owner of that yacht, named after a group of stars, said that they, meaning the people running the hotel on Fregate Island, did not know who they were dealing with. He pulled out his mobile phone and called President Michel.
No sooner had he come off the phone a call came from the management on Fregate granting him and his entourage permission to disembark. This is how Seychelles is being administered today - a law for the poor and a different one for the rich and famous.
The spear fishing exercise going on around the islands is testimony to the fact that these people, the Arabs, Russians and South Africans along with their friends who own the luxury super yachts do not care about Seychelles, our laws or culture. Just because they have money, which they are using to bribe top people in this Administration, they think they can do whatever they want when they want, even if it is against the laws of Seychelles. This is what we meant when we asked if “the tail is wagging the dog?”