Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter in your newspaper (‘Story and photo caption on website a misrepresentation,’ Jan 7) written by George Vyphuis and containing the following words: “They were present… but moved immediately when they observed Freddie Kissoon taking the photograph.” Here is my account of how the photograph came to be taken with a smiling Mr Vyphuis talking to Mark Benschop. Mr Benschop and I went to the Brickdam station after we were contacted by a mother with claims about molestation of her under-age daughter by a young man. We lodged a report with Minister Manickchand’s ministry, then went to Brickdam. There was a lively discussion between us and some senior officers including Mr Vyphuis.
After complimenting Mr Vyphuis on his family that we recently met at a city wharf, Mr Benschop requested a photograph of him and Mr Vyphuis. He gave me his camera and I took the snap. All can see Mr Vyphuis smiling in the frame. As the conversation died, and we were about to leave, I made a parting remark about Mr Vyphuis’s conduct in the impounding of the vehicle of Mr Maniram during the street protest on Brickdam by some Patentia school children last June. Out of respect for Mr Vyphuis, I will not print his reply.
Yours faithfully,
Frederick Kissoon
