Africa-Press – Seychelles. Vice-President Ahmed Afif said that it is a policy of the Seychelles Defense Force (SDF) that reports on any incident involving the organization remain as their internal and confidential documents only.
Vice-President Afif said this before the National Assembly yesterday morning when he was answering an urgent question (PNQ) by the leader of the opposition Honorable Sebastien Pillay because the SDF is refusing to give the family the report in connection with the tragic death of the young recruit Chad Payet that happened on March 27 this year.
He was accompanied by the Chief of Defense Forces, Brigadier Michael Rosette and Lieutenant Colonel Alain Pierre.
Vice-President Afif, who began by speaking to the government and defense forces, expressed his condolences to the Chad family as well as to all his loved ones and colleagues, explaining that it is a military protocol to report on incidents like this. with Chad, but this report remains as an internal and confidential document for this force.
“In short, Chad’s family had the sense to see this report including other medical documents in the presence of SDF officers. They have not received a copy of the report as I said, these are internal documents,” Vice-President Afif said.
When he was answering the questions of the members, Vice-President Afif pointed out that the desire of the police in place where the report cannot be given, the SDF and the commander in chief, President Wavel Ramkalawan, who is also a friend of the family, is ready to meet again with the family any time they are ready to discuss any aspect of Chad’s death with the aim of helping them to find ‘closure’ and to continue their lives after this painful tragedy.
The Vice-President said that Chad had done all his preparations before joining the force as a recruit. He said that it was his own cousin who was training that day who was the first person to approach Chad when he fell.
He added that the investigation into Chad’s death was done by a board that also made recommendations on what the military can do to avoid risks that may occur.
He explained that Chad, who was only four days old as a recruit, did a medical test and was declared fit, but he (VP) did not have any information about the type of test that Chad did.
Vice-President Afif said that Chad’s family has access to all the law to request information and if they make an official request, which for the time being is not available, for information about this incident, they will be treated according to the law in place.
He added that even if the family saw the report, if they want a copy, they have the right to ask and this will need to be done in accordance with the law in place.
“We have nothing to hide, we don’t want to hurt anyone and we are saddened by this incident because he was a child who died and everyone saw him die. When he came to take his test, he looked fit, strong and capable and determined to work,” the Vice-President said.
He noted that sometimes misfortune is not warned and that it happens in many instances where no one wants it and that Chad’s family has all the information contained in this report.
Regarding insurance coverage for recruits, Brigadier Rosette said that there is no insurance coverage for recruits because of the nature of military work that insurance companies do not cover.
Fodre pointed out that among the audience that followed the assembly session in the gallery was Chad’s mother, Maryse Payet. Chad would have turned 19 today on June 28.
Source: Nation
For More News And Analysis About Seychelles Follow Africa-Press
