Are we encouraging criminals to control our political system and our daily lives? I ask in an attempt to gain some clarity on what appears to be happening in Saint Lucia today. With all the noise about repatriation and the embracing of our African roots, we would do well to reflect on the words of Bishop Hassan Kukah: “African education systems have surprising outcomes. The smartest students pass with first-class and get admissions to medical and engineering schools. The second-class students get MBAs and LLBs to manipulate the first class-students. The third-class students enter politics and rule both the first and second-class students. The failures enter the underworld of crime and control the politicians and the businesses . . .”
Is the Saint Lucian education system mimicking that of Africa? Are criminal elements truly in control of our politicians and business owners? I have taken a cursory review of both of our key political parties and pondered on the accuracy of Bishop Kukah’s shocking observation. Is there a cozy relationship between local politicians and criminals? One election candidate who ran on a United Workers Party ticket noted several years ago—in the Senate—that politics was “not for good boys.” Did he know something we don’t want to know?
Consider the incumbent St. Lucia Labour Party that comprises individuals with less than savory reputations, yet occupy positions of authority and influence. Some have even appeared in court to answer to charges of the worst kind. What message are we sending our already frustrated, at-risk youth? That public image counts for little and only the ability to attract votes matter in our politics? Not so long ago, a prime minister told the whole world that crime in Saint Lucia was facilitated by politicians, business people, government ministers, police officers, and other supposedly respectable individuals. His words have never been contradicted.
We are lamenting the level of violent crime in our country. We wake up most days to news of drive-by shootings, stabbings, cutlass attacks. Criminals are getting bolder by the minute, even showing off on social media. Is this because they have no reason to fear being caught? Days after taking office, the current government wiped clean the police records of individuals convicted for disregarding laws related to the Covid pandemic.
The leader of the government, who is responsible for national security, appears clueless. Recently, he answered expressed concerns about random violence in our country by saying it was his father who had been a police officer; not his father’s son. He has publicly admonished the police to “relook” at their failed crime-fighting strategies.
The police force, truth be told, seem to have been lately castrated, at a loss what to do about deadly daylight violence, even when their own are the victims. When they have had good cause to lay charges, the police cannot count on suspects getting their due deserts. More often than not such fearsome individuals are set free on bail—in the sum of peanuts. Too often, they too return to their deviant ways while on bail.
Alas, the UWP is not much better. A self-proclaimed leading party official of dubious reputation publicly threatened recently to vent his wrath on four identified females. “It will be a bloodbath,” he shouted so the world could hear him clearly. There has been no police reaction. Meanwhile, the potential “blood bath” targets live in fear for their own and their families’ lives. The threat came at the worst of times for Saint Lucian women, many of whom have been brutally raped and slaughtered without police intervention. As disturbing is that sections of the UWP appear supportive of the loud-mouthed criminal bully. What a message to send out to women, regardless of political leanings. Both political parties appear to endorse criminality. Is there also tacit support from sections of the business community? Are business owners too scared to speak out, for fear the alleged criminal politician-facilitators fingered by a prime minister should place a price on their own and on their families’ heads? Are business people and government ministers afraid of possible blackmail? What a sorry mess we’re drowning in? Out of fear of reprisal, I am forced to use a name not my own. Wish ourselves luck, fellow Saint Lucians under seige. We certainly need it!
