Africa-Press – Mauritius. Kushal Lobine, the leader of the New Democrats, condemned the MSM government’s attempts to undermine democracy, recalling that the PMSD left the government in 2015 due to concerns over the Public Prosecution Bill, which he argued infringed upon the powers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He described the current draft law as a crucial first step toward restoring democratic principles.
Lobine emphasized that returning the powers of the DPP was a promise made to the population, highlighting that the opposition at the time had vocally criticized the Financial Crimes Commission Act during parliamentary debates. He expressed disappointment that the previous government ignored their concerns, stating, “It was like talking to a wall.” He reiterated the importance of the roles played by Parliament, the judiciary, and the DPP as outlined in the Constitution.
He noted that the current government had pledged to restore democracy, good governance, and integrity, asserting that the proposed bill is a significant move in that direction by reinstating the DPP’s powers. Lobine lamented the MSM government’s previous attempts to limit the DPP’s authority, indicating that undermining democracy seemed to be ingrained in their approach. He recalled that the PMSD had previously left the government over similar issues, and although they later allied with the MSM, the Mauritian public’s reaction was a positive sign of democratic engagement.
In response to criticisms from the opposition, Lobine pointed out that the government had already announced plans to repeal the FCC Act and establish a new national agency to combat crime. He stressed that the first step in this process was to “STOP the rot” by restoring the DPP’s powers and dignity, emphasizing the need to protect vital institutions like the DPP’s office to ensure the integrity of the justice system.
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