MP Mathoera wants 24 vehicles to be returned to KPS

The Police Force Suriname (KPS) had to watch helplessly how 24 vehicles which had been sent to the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication (OWT&C) for repairs were confiscated,” said MP Krishna Mathoera (VHP) in Parliament on Thursday. According to the legislator from the opposition, the vehicles are currently in the hands of loyalists and friends of former Public Works Minister Jerry Miranda. “They are being driven by friends, loyalists and other people and I find this a very serious matter,” said MP Mathoera. MP Andre Misiekaba (NDP) pointed out that “this was a very serious accusation” and therefore made it clear that he expects Mathoera to present the evidence. MP Mathoera reportedly gave Acting chairman of Parliament, Melvin Bouva, a list of the vehicles that the KPS hopes to get back. “The police force does its best but it lacks the material and the tools. Especially the lack of vehicles is an enormous problem at the Police Force Suriname,” said MP Mathoera.

MP Misiekaba wanted MP Mathoera to mention the names of the people who she sees as the friends and loyalists of former Minister Miranda in to support her accusations. MP Edward Belfort (ABOP) claimed that at least 2 vehicles are at a daughter of the ex minister. He was then called to order by acting chairman Bouva who made it clear that “it was a very serious accusation.” Public Works Minister Patrick Pengel reviewed his reports and pointed out that MP Mathoera’s statements are not based on facts. He made it clear that MP Mathoera was giving the wrong information to Parliament.

Minister Pengel explained that the vehicles that MP Mathoera was talking about are no longer deemed suitable for service by the KPS and that they were never used to fight crime. The plan was to sell the vehicles. The Ministry of Public Works instead opted to strip parts from the various vehicles and to use these parts to fix 2 of them.

According to Minister Pengel, the Ministry of Public Works still has the vehicle carcasses and that he would send pictures of them to Parliament.