Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that on 29 August 2025, Mrs K.D.J.H., Officer-in-Charge of the Mauritius Investment Company, made a declaration at the Central CID regarding an article on Scoop.mu. That was on 29 August. On 11 September of the same year, that is, this year, another declaration was lodged by one Mr T.S., CEO of Elysium Capital, concerning posts against him on the same platform. Both cases were formally recorded for breach of the Information and Communication Technologies Act. I am further informed by the Police that they attempted to obtain the statement of Mr N. J., the alleged author of these posts, by calling him over the phone several times, but I am informed that he was unreachable. As per the established practice, a case conference was held at the level of the Central CID, comprising senior most officers where it was decided to make an application for a search warrant under breach of Section 46(1)(ga) of the Information and Communication Technologies Act at the Curepipe District Court. The Commissioner of Police was not informed of the decision taken by the Police Officers.

24 On 12 September 2025, on the basis of the search warrant, four Central CID Officers in one police vehicle proceeded to the residence of Mr N.J. There was also another vehicle of the Divisional Crime Intelligence Unit on the spot. I am informed that Mr N.J. was told of the purpose of the visit of the Police. He was requested to hand over his communication and IT equipment. I am informed that Mr N.J. grew vexed and threw his two mobile phones on the floor. Subsequently, electronic equipment including the two mobile phones, suspected to have been used in the commission of the alleged offences, was secured for examination. Mr N.J. voluntarily accompanied Police Officers at the Cybercrime Unit and he admitted being the author of the posts. I am informed by the Police that he was informed of his constitutional rights, including the right to silence and to legal representation, which I am told he exercised. I am also informed that he was provided with communication facilities to contact his lawyer at the Central CID. After examination of the two mobile phones, they were handed over to Mr N.J. and he was later allowed to go after the enquiry. Investigations in both cases are ongoing. Madam Speaker, ever since the beginning of the mandate of this Government, I made it clear on numerous occasions, that both in this House and during my address to the Nation on 01 January of this year, that I consider respect for human rights and the application of Section 5(1) and Section 5(2) of the Constitution as the bedrock of any civilised society. Under no circumstances will the Government allow any violation of human rights as we saw under the previous regime. My Government will always uphold the sanctity of human rights and dignity of all our citizens. Therefore, I asked the Commissioner of Police to carry out an enquiry into the action taken by the Police Officers. Upon the outcome of the enquiry, appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken. However, pending the outcome of the internal enquiry, six Police Officers have already been transferred to other divisions so as not to jeopardize the exercise.

Thank you, hon. Prime Minister. Yes, hon. Lobine!

Thank you. May I ask the hon. Prime Minister with regard to the use of Section 46 of the ICTA Act, will Government consider bringing amendments to this particular legislation with a view of it being in conjunction with Section 5 of our Constitution, because there are being abuses of provisional charges and cases lodged under this particular infamous section of the ICTA Act? Will Government consider amending this Act?

25

As we have said when we presented the Government Programme, for example, the provisional charges will go. It is being worked out by the Attorney General at the moment. We will look at all aspects of all that you have just mentioned.

Yes, hon. Leader of the Opposition!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The hon. Prime Minister again is confirming that the Commissioner of Police was not made aware of the arrest of that journalist. Did he enquire from the Commissioner of Police why he made the statement: “nou’nn fer seki bizin fer?” What does that mean?

In fact, I did, and he said he was referring to the fact that the mobile phones were thrown and they were then taken away with the electronic equipment. It is in that sense that he was saying: what had to be done, had to be done.

Yes, Mr Beechook!

Merci, Madame la présidente. M. le Premier ministre, récemment, il y a eu un jugement de la cour concernant la protection des sources des journalistes. Est-ce que le Premier ministre peut nous assurer que dorénavant s’il y a des cas où les journalistes sont concernés, au moins, qu’il y ait une protection des sources des journalistes et que leurs outils de travail ne soient pas saisis ?

I think that is the case. But when there were allegations, they had to check whether it was done or not done.

Alright, yes! Next question, hon. First Member for Savanne and Black River, Mr Babajee! MAURITIUS METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES – MR R. D., FORMER DIRECTOR – CYCLONE BELAL – INDEPENDENT INQUIRY