The Minister of Amerindian Affairs has launched an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct against the toshao of Karasabai in the South Rupununi.
Minister Pauline Sukhai wrote to toshao Marlon Edwards on June 3, 2022 and informed him that she received a petition from the Village Council calling for his removal.
“Accordingly, I have decided by virtue of Section 28(1) of the Amerindian Act to appoint a committee to carry out an investigation under Section 27. I have given due consideration to the serious nature of the allegations contained in the petition which prima facie would bring the Office of Toshao into disrepute and significantly affect the Council to administer the village,” Sukhai said in her letter.
Section 27 of the Amerindian Act of 2006 speaks to petition for the removal of a toshao. It states “…the minister [may be petitioned] to carry out an investigation on the grounds that a toshao or a councillor has failed to carry out his duties or had contravened any provision of this Act. (2) The Minister shall carry out an investigation if at least fifty-one per cent of the village general meeting voted in favour of the petition. (3) The Minister may carry out an investigation if fewer than fifty-one per cent of the village general meeting voted in favour of the petition or if a separate petition is presented to the Minister.”
Meanwhile, Section 27(1) of the Act states “the Minister shall appoint a committee of three persons to carry out an investigation under section27.”
The Act also states that the National Toshaos Council and the Regional Democratic Council may each nominate a member to the committee. The toshao or councillor against whom allegations are made has the right to answer the charges before the committee. Following the investigation of the allegations, the committee is expected to present a report to the Minister after which it would be sent to the Village General Meeting indicating whether the toshao or councillor is removed or reinstated.
In keeping with the Act, Minister Sukhai informed toshao Edwards that he is suspended pending the report of the investigative committee. In the interim, the Deputy Toshao will be acting as village leader.
“Kindly note that the Committee shall commence this investigation and will supply you with the relevant documents. The lead on this committee will be the former Chair of the National Toshaos’ Council Hon. Ms Yvonne Pearson M.P,” the letter informed. Pearson is a Member of Parliament for the current government.
The petition from the Karasabai Village Council was reportedly sent to the Minister in May. It informed that the major allegation against Edwards is that of financial misconduct.
“On the 04th February 2022 general meeting of the Toshao of Karasabai village Mr Marlon Edwards reported to the public that large sums of monies are missing from the Karasabai village bank account which includes the investment grant for Wichbai satellite to Karasabai Village, backhoe money, Amerindian Hostel monies, village shop monies, grass cutter money, PG 2020 balance etc when questioned by the public why these monies are missing the toshao failed to give the explanation to satisfy their concern,” the petition informed.
It added that the toshao was requested to provide the villagers and council with a bank statement so that the finances could be traced. However, he allegedly refused to do so which, the council says, is a breach of Section 20 of the Amerindian Act. The petition informed that Edwards changed the signatories to the village’s bank account without the consent of the villagers and council.
“A treasurer and secretary were selected by the toshao after he sidelined both the treasurer and the secretary that was elected by the Village Council immediately after the toshao’s election. Again, this was not sanctioned by the Village Council and the members of the public. It was not stated in the minutes of the previous meeting whether a decision was made by the council to change the signatories and the elected treasurer and secretary of the Karasabai Village Council,” the petition alleged.
It added “Toshao Marlon Edwards uplifted the sum of $350,000 on behalf of the Village Council for the purpose of rent owed by the Lethem Magistrate Court which was never handed over to the treasurer of the Village Council instead the cash was donated to the Section 2 Karasabai sewing group on the 8th of March 2022 without the decision being sanctioned by the Village Council. Toshao Marlon Edwards obtain the sum of $1.6 million in goods from a businessperson stating that the said amount was to restock the Karasabai Village Council shop but contrary to that it was used for his personal business at his home.”
The Village Council argued that if Edwards is not removed then questions about the management of Karasabai’s finances would forever linger.
However, some villagers are saying that the petition is malicious and the allegations are unfounded. They are alleging that the call is grounded in political vindictiveness.
“They have a government MP there as the head of the investigative team. Toshao [Edwards] is being silenced by the government and we are sure of it. He has been working for this village and we are sure that this is political. They see him as opposition and they now want to get him out so their people can go there,” one villager, who asked to remain anonymous said.
“Anti-government” behaviour
Meanwhile, the Ministry has also launched an investigation into the conduct of a senior councillor of the Parishara Village Council in Central Rupununi.
In a July 29, 2021 letter to the Minister, a number of Parishara residents called for Councillor Erlene McDonald’s removal. They alleged that she had been absconding from her responsibilities to the village.
“Ms McDonald has been observed to be anti-government and without remorse. She does things contrary to the expectations of the current government {administration}…Ms McDonald peddles misleading information openly wishing to taint the reputation of the current government. Thus the Senior Councillor refuses to submit to tangible development offers from the administration. Ms McDonald open-heartedly submits to the influence of the now-defunct APNU+AFC political party. Thus the Senior Councillor deliberately fails to recognize the requirements in many aspects of developmental nature aligned to governmental plans,” the petition stated.
It was signed by at least 30 residents.
The Amerindian Act does not provide for a village leader to be investigated for “anti-government behaviour.” However, in a letter similar to the one sent to Edwards, Minister Sukhai informed McDonald that an investigation has been launched into her conduct.
The village councillor was suspended pending the completion of the investigation. The Committee conducting the investigation will be headed by Pearson as well.
