waynemunroe

The Progressive Liberal Party is beginning to tighten its internal processes before the general election is called.

On Tuesday, eleven incumbents and aspiring candidates appeared before the Candidates Committee as decisions are being weighed ahead of the next general election, which is constitutionally due this year.

This round of interviews stood out because of the large number of hopefuls. Prime Minister Philip Davis also showed up himself. This sends a strong message publicly, and it can signal some type of readiness.

The group of potential candidates included former Senator Robyn Lynes; Ormanique Bowe (for Free Town); broadcaster Chris Saunders (for St. Anne’s); businessman Keno Wong (for St. Anne’s); Latorna McPhee (for St. Anne’s); and Bimini resident Tasha Bullard-Hamilton (for Bimini and Berry Islands).

Incumbents also appeared before the committee defending their records: Wayne Munroe, Wayde Watson for Bain and Grants Town, Zane Lightbourne for Yamacraw, Patricia Deveaux for Bamboo Town, and Lisa Rahming for Marathon.

Wayne Munroe, MP for Freetown, has framed his challenger, Bowe, as healthy competition, emphasizing unity over division. Parties nearing an election tend to manage internal differences carefully, knowing that public confidence often depends more on perception of cohesion.

“I always say that when somebody else steps up and is able to step up, that shows that a party is rich and has a defense. I happen to believe that I’m the best candidate to contest this seat, and that is what my position is, but it is her right to come and ask for a nomination, and I do not take it personally,” Munroe told reporters.

Bowe arrived with jitney buses of supporters and a Junkanoo rush-out, with shouts of “Wayne gotta go”.

“I am very confident, and like you say, the supporters show who they are behind today,” she said.

Candidate selection determines who carries the party banner, who steps aside. When these decisions are made, the path is smoother to election mode.

Davis’ appearance adds weight to the moment. It could mean an election is imminent, and it shows the party is positioning itself for the election before September.

Some of the party’s candidates will be ratified on Thursday: Sylvanus Petty, Kirk Cornish, Clay Sweeting, and Bradley Fox Jr.

Photo credit: William Mortimer

In the wake of a scandal that has rocked the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), the Bahamian public is left grappling with questions of trust and integrity within their law enforcement institutions. The recent indictment by the United States on Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis and Sergeant Prince Symonette for their alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking operation has sent shockwaves through the nation, leading to the resignation of Commissioner Clayton Fernander.

The spotlight now turns to Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, who is responsible for the RBPF and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF), of which Chief Petty Officer Darren Curtis, another of the men charged, is a member. Calls for Munroe’s resignation have intensified, with critics arguing that it is necessary to restore public confidence in the national security organization.

The Opposition has voiced concerns over Munroe’s competence, suggesting that his legalistic approach may not be suitable for the role of safeguarding the nation’s security interests.

As fingers point to who could be the politician accused of authorizing the cocaine shipment from the Bahamas to the United States for $2 million, Munroe, however, has categorically denied any involvement in the allegations and insists that his future in the position is a decision for Prime Minister Philip Davis.

Amidst these developments, and other allegations of corruption within the RBPF, the Bahamian government faces a critical juncture. A resignation of Commissioner Fernander, while not an admission of personal wrongdoing, signifies recognition of the need for change at the helm of the RBPF, and Munroe should follow suit.

Resignation in the face of scandal is an acknowledgment that the efficacy of the institution supersedes individual leadership. It is a gesture that can begin the process of rebuilding trust and demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Bahamian people deserve a national security that operates with the highest standards of integrity.

As the New York trial unfolds, the actions of the nation’s leaders will be under intense scrutiny. Whether or not Munroe resigns can restore or further erode the public’s trust in the government and its systems.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe was noticeably absent in the House of Assembly on Wednesday as Prime Minister Philip Davis addressed the New York indictment of three officers accused of transporting cocaine into the United States–two officers are high-ranking.

Minister of Labour Pia Glover Rolle stood in his stead as leader of Government Business.

Munroe said the public should not be alarmed at his absence. He is attending a CARICOM Securities Ministers meeting in St Kitts.

He also denied authorizing the shipment of tons of cocaine shipment from South America through the Bahamas to the United States.

“I have not received $2million. I have not been asked to accommodate any wrongdoing. I have not offered to accommodate any wrongdoing, and I state that categorically,” he told The Tribune.

This comes after Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis was arrested and indicted for cocaine and firearm transport to the United States, implicating a politician in the scheme.

According to the indictment “In exchange for $2million USD, a high-ranking Bahamian politician, whom Curtis named, would authorize the assistance and involvement of Bahamian law enforcement officials –– including armed RBPF officers –– in facilitating and ensuring cocaine shipments…”

Munroe joins Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper in denying any role in the scheme.

“Such allegations demand thorough investigation, and no stone will be left unturned in seeking the truth,” Prime Minister Philip Davis said in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

He said his Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell had recommended sending a diplomatic note to US officials requesting more information about the allegation about the politician’s involvement.

It is not known if the public will be privy to the information if it is divulged.

“I know that in some of these law enforcement matters, information is given to you on the basis that you do not disclose it,” Munroe said.

The sex offender publicly released last week, died today in hospital following his discovery through a small road.

According to the Nassau Guardian, Alden Scott was found unresponsive on a dirt road while bleeding through the nose.

It is not known if he was attacked or the origin of his injuries.

His brother, Ronald Scott spoke to the daily saying, “The policeman took him to the hospital…Here we are [a] couple [of] days later, he’s dead.”

The big picture

Alden was released on Friday after being added to the sex offender registry. He served nine years in prison for sexual assault and was sentenced to two years in prison for caressing a girl’s thigh back in January.

Why it matters

Alden was the first person to be added to the sex offenders’ registry in a public notice. Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe warned that the public should refrain from issuing vigilante justice and cautioned that public notification will be discontinued if anyone physically assaults Alden on his release.

How the public reacts

Some social media users expressed no empathy for Alden.

Devon Rox says, “Knowing what sexual assault does to a person mentally and physically until the day they die, I have no compassion for the rapist.”

Stacey Smith says, “God doesn’t sleep.”

Negrita Valdez says she anticipated that the sex offender would be killed after release. “I knew it wasn’t going to be too long for him to enjoy his freedom…”

Monique Knowles calls for law reforms. “I don’t know why laws are not stricter. He should not have been allowed out in public after the second offense.”

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe announced the release of a sex offender in a rare move at a press conference on Friday.

Who is the sex offender?

• 55-year-old Alden Scott of Strachan Corner, off East Street .
• He was convicted of sexually assaulting a nine-year old girl in 2021 after being sentenced to prison for nine years for a similar offence.
• He is 5 feet and 5 inches with black hair, brown eyes.
• He weighs 165 lbs.

Why it matters

This is the first time a sex offender’s release from prison has been announced publicly. Public outcry has grown louder as apparent cases of sexual offences increase in the country.

State of Play

If the offender is physically assaulted while released,  Munroe warned that the public notices will be discontinued.

A police officer is expected to be disciplined for placing a woman in a cell with a man who sexually assaulted her in custody.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe said the officer took responsibility for his actions and will be reprimanded.

Munroe could not say what disciplinary action the officer will face, only to say that he will await the “punishment.”

“The officer, from the information received from the commissioner of police, has acknowledged that he was at fault,” he said.

“I’ll have to wait and see what punishment is meted out, but I would expect that some punishment has to be meted out for that.”

Munroe said he does not know if the officer is still on duty.

“I cannot say that,” he said.

“If you wish, I could find out, but I expect that he would be disciplined.”

The big story

In October, 32-year-old Ryan Raymond Bodie, admitted to assaulting the 25-year-old woman while at the East Street South Police Station.

Bodie, described as a vagrant, was arrested for threatening his father, and shared cells with the woman who was detained on a traffic warrant.

No explanation was given on why they were placed in the same cell.

Bodie was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for a psychiatric assessment to determine his fitness to plead.

He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on December 14.

Police confirmed that 4-year-old Bella Walker died as a result of blunt force trauma to the body.

The trauma caused multiple fractures to her body, police said.

Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle lamented the brutal injuries that caused internal injuries to the little girl. ” I don’t know what they were thinking.”

The big picture

Bella died on Friday afternoon and police ruled her death “suspicious.” The main suspect is the boyfriend of her mother who remains in police custody. He was seen assisting the unresponsive body of the girl into an ambulance.

Neighbours recalled the child being left home alone and wandering the streets of Major Subdivision.

Bella lived with her grandparents in Grand Bahama from the age of two weeks until she was four years old. Two months ago, she was sent to live with her mother.

Government officials have spoken out against the violent act.

Today, Marco City MP Michael Pintard encouraged the government to send a clear message to perpetrators in child abuse cases, showing that “we have had enough as a country and are prepared to do something fundamentally different.”

National Security Minister rejects sexual abuse claims

Speculations arose that the child was sexually assaulted, CSJ Report was informed that her vagina showed signs of swelling and injury, in addition to previous fractures that healed on their own.

But National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said there was no evidence to suggest she was sexually abused.

Outside of parliament on Wednesday morning, he said, “We don’t need to insinuate more into something than is there. If a child dies, if it’s by violence, that is unacceptable. And I don’t understand that people don’t see that sufficient.”

Mikhail Miller was diagnosed with schizophrenia and psychosis due to the intake of contaminated drugs.

His mother Rose Miller struggled with him and tried to admit him to the country’s medical institute for the mentally ill, Sandilands Rehabilitation Center. So she sought the assistance of police officers.

Rose was told that she needed a reason for 29-year-old Mikhail to be picked up by officers and sent to Sandilands.

Rose then got a warrant for his arrest producing evidence that he stole shoes from his brother which he was told by a judge to refund to his brother.

Since he did not make payments, Rose asked that Mikhail be placed before the courts again.

“But they said that they didn’t see the warrant into the system and so I said I need help to get him off the street and so they said ‘well, did he steal (anything from you)’ and I said yes he take my tablet (and) my phone and they said that will be a reason to get him off the street.”

Rose asked that he be sent to Sandilands Rehabilitation Center but he was remanded at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

What happened?

Mikhail was found dead in his cell on Monday morning. Pathologist Dr. Karen Sands is still doing an investigation to determine the cause of death but reports suggested he was found with injuries, which could have been caused by natural or unnatural causes.

Rose believes Mikhail was ganged in a cell and placed in a quarantined cell where he died. But official reports have not determined this.

Was an officer on guard?

It is not known if a prisoner officer saw what transpired, if anything did, but the prison remains overcrowded, which National Minister Wayne Munroe says makes it harder for officers to monitor each individual.

The prison also houses patients from the Sandilands Rehabilitation Center, which has a moratorium on new admittances due to COVID-19.

A prison officer who wanted to remain anonymous told CSJ Report that the cell holding the mentally ill at the facility is overwhelming for officers since many of the patients are without medication and as a result are acting erratically.

SRC seemed to have forgotten these patients as some are defecating on the floors of the prison.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe is among the newly appointed members in Prime Minister Philip Davis’ cabinet and that’s troubling.

His appointment has raised eyebrows since Munroe is a criminal defense lawyer who has gained a reputation for protecting society’s worst.

His career has complicated matters for the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Munroe and his partner, Jomo Campbell, the new Minister of State for Legal Affairs have defended notorious gang leaders and murderers who terrorize the Bahamian society.

Criminals often obtain the services of Munroe and Campbell while being investigated by police for killings. The outcome is usually an acquittal and they are released to commit other killings. And the pattern continues.

Munroe’s name has become synonymous with the representation of hardened criminals.

He has publicly criticized the police force and its duty to carry out law and order.

However, Davis lauded Munroe at the swearing-in ceremony, saying he will “bring balance and fairness to the way the state interacts with the people.”

Munroe said he will waste no time to push for inquests into police shootings.

“A speedy system benefits not only the families who say something went wrong but officers whose careers may be languished and held up while these matters drag on and that will be a matter I will be discussing,” he told reporters after the ceremony.

Reports are that Munroe’s relationship with the Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle is quite frosty due to his prior stands and criticisms levied at the organization.

In a social media post, some members of the public have expressed concerns regarding the appointment of Munroe as National Security Minister.

Cherneka Brown said, “He helps criminals out of jail and now the minister of national security…?

Brent Gibson said, “Gangsterism, who makes a criminal lawyer, a national security minister?”

Liz Jones said, “He will bring strife and turmoil to the police force and other security forces.”

It will be interesting to see how Munroe carries out his duty as the minister with responsibility for national security, his answers for the plaguing crime problem, and whether or not he can balance his relationship and defense of criminals with the rules and laws that govern the country.

Eight members of the Cabinet were sworn in on Monday afternoon to serve as ministers in the Davis-led administration.

Prime Minister Philip Davis said they will “deliver the party’s promise of a new day.”

1. Fred Mitchell–Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is an outspoken member of the PLP and was party chairman. He served in the Perry Christie administration in the same position in 2012. When the PLP lost in 2017, he lost his seat but was appointed PLP senator.
2. Glennys Hanna-Martin–Minister of Education and Vocational Training. She has been a longtime member of the PLP, having served in the Christie administration in 2012 as Minister of Transport and Aviation. The party lost in 2017, but she retained her seat and was one of four PLPs who returned to the Parliament as the opposition.
3. Michael Darville–Minister of Health. He was the MP for Pineridge and Minister of Grand Bahama in 2012 in the Christie administration. When his party lost, he became a PLP senator.
4. Michael Halkitis–Minister of Economic Affairs and Leader of Government Business in the Senate. He lost to the FNM in the 2021 election. He served in the Christie administration as the Minister of State for Finance in 2012.
5. Clay Sweeting–Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs. He ran against FNM MP Ricky Martin in 2017 and lost. The fisherman was then appointed a PLP senator in the Upper Chamber.
6. Alfred Sears–Minister of Works and Utilities. He was the Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte from 2000 to 2012 and served in the Christie administration. He lost his seat to the FNM in 2017. He once served as Minister of Education and as Attorney General in the Christie administration.
7. Wayne Munroe–Minister of National Security. He is a prominent lawyer. He ran in 2017 for the PLP but lost to the FNM. He was also a former DNA member.
8. Jomo Campbell–Minister of State for Legal Affairs. He is new to politics and is believed to be a lawyer in Wayne Munroe’s office.

Davis said his Cabinet “will move with urgency, that this moment requires.”

Governor-General C.A Smith asked that the country “set aside differences until next five years.” He added, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. Let’s unite and together make a better Bahamas.”