Cabinet Reviews Budna Report as Pressure Mounts for Outside Investigator

Tonight, questions swirl around the investigation into alleged police misconduct involving the kidnapping of Joseph Budna. Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa says a detailed report has already been reviewed by Cabinet, but he hasn’t seen it himself. That report, prepared by ACP Suzette Anderson, includes interviews with ten witnesses, surveillance footage, and even identification details. So, what’s next? Musa says the call for an independent investigator is gaining traction. Here’s what he had to say.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“There has been an investigation provided by ACP Anderson which actually outlines, and I won’t go too far into that because I don’t want to prejudice it even more.”

 

Reporter

“Have you seen the investigation?”

 

Kareem Musa

“The prime minister has the report and he went over it with us in Cabinet, but I haven’t seen it.”

 

Reporter

“But you’re speaking like you’re infantilized. You’re a lawyer, sir… you can’t see the report for yourself? The PM has to read it to you?”

 

Kareem Musa

“Well it was to the entire Cabinet. As you know, ACP Anderson provided the report to the prime minister. The report, I believe, had ten witnesses that have been interviewed. It had references made to the identification by your good self on Budna. It had reference made to two surveillance footages, so we do know that they do exist and then, of course, the conclusion after interviewing all these witnesses in terms of the next step forward which is he appointment of an independent investigator as requested by yourself and many other Belizeans.”