Two ex-MCIT officers picked up by FCC over extortion allegations
Two former members of the Major Crime Investigation Team, the MCIT, were picked up by the Financial Crimes Commission Friday evening. They are suspected of having extorted money from a family in Terre Rouge after the unit had conducted a search at the property in early May.
Both men had already been transferred out of the MCIT before the FCC made its move. They were questioned in the presence of their lawyers. The investigation remains active and the commission says further arrests are not ruled out.
PM to chair new committee targeting monopoly pricing
Cabinet approved a new interministerial committee Friday, chaired by PM Ramgoolam himself, to examine price-fixing across Mauritius's monopoly and near-monopoly markets. The mandate: propose concrete recommendations to protect consumers and ensure fair pricing.
Eight ministers sit on the body, covering trade, finance, labour, housing and foreign affairs. PM Ramgoolam placing himself at the head of the committee signals this is being treated as a priority, not another study exercise.
Mauritius to pay Rs 27.8 million for Covid vaccines that never arrived
The Health Ministry will pay $593,000 to the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust for Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccines ordered in 2021 under agreements signed by the previous government. The vaccines were never delivered. Cabinet confirmed the payment Friday.
Contracts signed, vaccines never received, bill still due.
40-hour work week debated as tripartite council holds its first session
The National Tripartite Council, the NTC, held its first working session Thursday, bringing together government, employers and unions to discuss two significant proposals: cutting the standard work week from 45 to 40 hours, and extending the Workers' Rights Act to employees earning above Rs 50,000 a month, who currently fall outside its protections.
Shorts
Six months to confess cartel behaviour – Competition Commission launches a 6-month amnesty from May 25 for firms to self-report market abuses.
Mauritius tightens customs on postal parcels – Up to 5,000 parcels transit Mauritius daily; the government is tightening border controls to stop postal drug smuggling.
Italian tourist targeted in Grand-Baie assault – An Italian tourist was attacked near a Grand-Baie nightclub; police probe alleged Rs 10M offer to silence the case.
Pension rolls shrink for a fourth month – BRP beneficiaries fell to 275,732 in April, the fourth consecutive monthly drop as Mauritius's population ages.
Rs 5,000 fine for offensive Facebook video – A 47-year-old woman was fined Rs 5,000 by intermediate court Friday for posting an offensive video on Facebook.
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