‘Dharamlall will have to face the consequences, if rape allegations are true’ – VP Jagdeo

Jun 22, 2023 News

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…says party cannot put its neck on a block for anyone

Kaieteur News – Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo, last evening disclosed that if the rape allegations leveled against Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall are true – the minister would have to face the consequences.

Minister Dharamlall is accused of raping and sodomising a 16-year-old Indigenous girl. Notably, this publication was reliably informed that an official report was made to the police by the teen girl in the company of an officer from the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA).

On Monday evening, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed that an investigation was launched into the allegation and that the minister was arrested when he turned up at the Brickdam Police Station. He was subsequently released on $1M bail. On Wednesday evening, while being interviewed by social media personality, Mikhail Rodrigues popularly known as “Guyana Critics” the Vice President was asked about the allegation leveled against Minister Dharamlall.

He said: “we don’t wanna be premature by saying anyone is guilty, but can we answer for every single individual in the party, or in the government? The party cannot basically give (an answer), like put our neck on a block for anyone, that is why a fair independent investigation is being done now.”

Jagdeo highlighted that while the government will not put its neck on a block for anyone, he underscored that they will not be taking sides either. Added to this, he said, “but we don’t want also a member of the party to be, or the government to be lynched by a public mob, a mob of social media commentators who are often hostile to the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), or the opposition, because the opposition has already for a long time had been gunning for Nigel Dharamlall you know that historically.”

Moreover, the Vice President underscored that while he hopes the allegations are not true, if they do turn out to be, the minister will have to face the consequences of his actions. “It will be as clear as that, he has to face the consequences. The party will not support,” he added.

This publication had reported that in a letter to President Irfaan Ali, the teen girl shared gruesome details about how she was allegedly groomed and later raped by the minister. In her letter, she pleaded with President Ali, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and relevant authorities to look into the matter. According to the letter seen by this publication, the girl first met the minister at an event last year, when she was 15-years-old. She said she was raped three months after meeting the minister and at that time, she was 16-years-old. She disclosed in the letter that after continuously harassing her to meet up with him, she eventually agreed to meet the minister. The teen said this is when the minister allegedly raped and sodomised her before handing her a sum of money.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the handling of the victim by the police. In a statement on Wednesday, the Guyana Police Force said that all Standard Operating Procedures were followed in the conduct of this investigation.

The Force said at no time whatsoever was any of the minors involved in the investigation questioned in the absence of a parent and a welfare officer. “More importantly, at the time the virtual complainant walked investigators through the alleged crime scene, under the supervision of a Superintendent of Police, the accused was not present, since he had already left as he was instructed to do by investigators. Finally, at no time did the virtual complainant or her parents make any request to the police for any attorney-at-law to be present. At all times, the virtual complainant and her parents were in the presence and hearing of the Child Care Officer, and this fact can also be corroborated by her,” the police statement concluded.

The Private Sector Commission in a statement said it welcomes and endorses the fact that the allegation of rape by a government minister is now subject to investigation by the police in accordance with the rule of law. The PSC said too that it is pleased that “our democracy is alive and well and that the rule of law is being followed.” “We are closely monitoring the situation in full expectation that due process will be observed & that justice will prevail. The PSC fully supports the action taken by the government to ensure the safety of the young woman involved by having her in protective custody while the matter remains under investigation. The PSC will continue to monitor closely the proceedings and urges everyone to allow the legal system to work in the interest of justice to all parties involved,” the statement read.

For its part, The Citizen Initiative (TCI) said it has been following closely the recent incident with the sexual harassment allegation against Dharamlall by a minor Indigenous child. “While TCI is glad that due process appears to finally be in motion, and Child Protection Services appears to have started supporting the child, TCI is disappointed that due process only started after public pressure was placed on the administration,” the political party stated.

“TCI is also disappointed that the government didn’t act decisively in removing Dharamlall from public office, especially given his track record of vulgar utterances at our highest forum, Parliament, and other similar accusations of vulgar misconduct circulating in social media. TCI is of the opinion that whatever the outcome of this case, the public should not be foisted with the likes of Dharamlall, whose lack of character is not worthy of high offices of Guyana. Moreover, TCI notes the silence from the top offices of government, even if it’s to mention that every child must feel protected from predators, and in no case will there not be support for their vulnerability. TCI will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

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• Bharrat Jagdeo, consequences, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, Vice President (VP)

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