[Blog] Strengthening Public Safety: An Urgent Appeal for Greater Protection of Citizens

An Open Letter to the Prime Minister

Dr the Hon Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM, GCSK, FRCP Prime Minister Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands

Dear Honourable Prime Minister, I am writing to you today as a deeply concerned citizen of Mauritius, with a heavy heart and growing anxiety about the alarming state of insecurity that is affecting our country. Like many Mauritians, my family and I have always cherished the peace, safety, and sense of community that have long defined our nation. Unfortunately, this feeling is rapidly fading. Every day, we open our newspapers and social media platforms only to be confronted with reports of burglaries, assaults, robberies, and violent crimes.

These incidents are no longer isolated events; they have become a disturbing part of our daily reality. The situation has become particularly distressing for our elderly population. As I write this letter, I am sitting with my elderly in-laws in their home. Rather than enjoying their retirement years in peace, they live in constant fear and anxiety.

They are unable to sleep soundly at night, always worried that criminals may target them. Their fears are not unfounded. Some time ago, while they were asleep in their own home, intruders attempted to break into their property. The trauma of that experience remains with them to this day. No citizen, especially our senior citizens who have spent their lives contributing to this country, should have to live in fear within the walls of their own home. What is even more concerning is the perception that justice is not being served effectively.

Recently, the nation was shocked by the case of two men who violently attacked an elderly woman in her late seventies. Yet, despite the severity of such acts, the alleged perpetrators were reportedly released after a short period, raising serious concerns among the public about deterrence and accountability. Many citizens fear that such individuals may simply return to society and repeat these horrific acts against other vulnerable victims. The growing feeling among ordinary Mauritians is that criminality is becoming increasingly bold while law-abiding citizens feel increasingly vulnerable.

This perception is creating frustration, fear, and a loss of confidence in the ability of authorities to adequately protect the population.

Honourable Prime Minister, this letter is not intended as criticism but as a sincere plea from concerned citizens who love their country and wish to see it remain safe for future generations. We respectfully urge your office to consider stronger and more visible measures to combat crime, protect vulnerable citizens, strengthen law enforcement capabilities, and ensure that justice serves as an effective deterrent against criminal behaviour.

Mauritians deserve to feel safe when walking in their neighbourhoods, when conducting their daily activities, and most importantly, when sleeping in their own homes.

Our elderly parents and grandparents deserve to spend their final years with dignity, security, and peace of mind rather than fear and uncertainty. We respectfully ask for your leadership and intervention to address this growing crisis before it further erodes the sense of safety that has always been one of Mauritius' greatest strengths. We remain hopeful that decisive action can restore confidence, security, and peace to our communities.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Yassin Hamuth

Private Consultant Eye Surgeon Mauritius