The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has launched an investigation into allegations that four of its employees drugged and gang raped a woman at the entity’s Mahdia location and police have apprehended a suspect.
Deputy Commissioner of GGMC Newell Dennison, when contacted, said that after a report of the incident was made to him he assembled a team to travel to the location to conduct an investigation, notwithstanding what the police are doing.
It was reported to Stabroek News that the woman was invited for a drink by a GGMC cook. As she made her way up to the hallway of one of the buildings at the location she passed three men. She then met the cook, with whom she was familiar and he offered her a beer which she accepted. When she awakened, she found herself on a bed in a room with four men, one of whom was lying next to her. There were used condoms nearby and she was in severe pain.
She managed to escape and after recounting the episode to relatives, travelled to George-town almost immediately. The woman has relatives living at Mahdia and she was visiting them. She had already been in the area for several days when the rape occurred.
An official police report was made on Saturday and 25-year-old woman was later taken to the hospital to be medically examined. Police are also aware of several text messages sent to the woman by the cook in which he apologized for his actions and asked for forgiveness.
Contacted yesterday Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram told Stabroek News that one of the men has been arrested and he will be brought to Georgetown for questioning. He said that the arrest occurred on Sunday.
It is unclear why ranks have been unable to apprehend the three other suspects.
Sources close to the woman said that from all appearances she was drugged before being raped. Up to late yesterday she was reportedly still feeling the effects of whatever was used to spike her drink.
The relative said that earlier in the day they met Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence as well as Junior Minster Simona Broomes. Stabroek News was informed that as the behest of the minister, the policewoman who took the report on Saturday went to the ministry’s Lamaha Street location where the woman’s statement was completed and signed.
The relative had expressed concern at the way in which the case was being treated, complaining at the lack of sensitivity of the officer taking the statement and that the woman was not being treated as a victim but rather was being interrogated.
Persons close to case expressed hope that all four men will be made to face the law and that the police make good use of the text messages that were sent to the woman’s cellphone.
