Minister Denies Political Interference in Dropped Charges

We asked Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa whether he, or any of his Cabinet colleagues, had a hand in the decision to drop charges against the teachers involved in recent protests. His response? A firm no. Musa also urged protestors to think about the wider impact of their actions, especially how they affect everyday commuters trying to get to work or school.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“No, no, no and I think you all have this impression that ministers and the prime minister gets involved in charges of individuals, which you should never do that. Maybe that happened under the last administration, but not with us. I am aware that the commissioner of Police had a meeting with the teachers to discuss what had taken place in terms of the road blockage in Dangriga. All other locations the police had allowed the protestors, a reasonable amount of time to block the road. We have to understand the police are not here to be against the teachers. They are on the same team. But they do have the duty to the rest of society, rest of commuters who have to get to work, who have deadlines to meet. So we have to bear that in mind. And so, while yes the protest will have that success and the impact, I think we have to be considerate, as well. I think that was the line of communication the ComPol wanted to open along with the teachers to say listen, we can work along with you and allow you a reasonable time to protest, but let us not inconvenience for two hours, because that one took two hours, there were instances where some people were assaulting the officers.”