MT CEO Accused of Favoritism Towards Green Space Co Ltd

The CEO of Mauritius Telecom, Kapil Reesaul, has been accused of acting as a protector for Green Space Co Ltd, a company linked to a prominent member of the ruling Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), Avinash Mattarooa. This allegation came to light through a formal deposition filed with the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) by Ravi Boolakee, the Head of Service Management at Mauritius Telecom.

The allegations suggested that Mauritius Telecom has been operating more as a front for the Prime Minister’s Office under former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth than as a public service provider.

This troubling revelation followed ongoing investigations into illegal wiretapping practices, along with emerging concerns about favoritism in the awarding of contracts to associates of the MSM leader.

Kapil Reesaul, who took over the position from Sherry Singh in August 2022, is now facing serious implications just weeks after the election of the new government, led by the Alliance of Change.

Boolakee’s deposition accuses Reesaul of exerting pressure on staff to prioritize the interests of Green Space Co Ltd shortly after he assumed his role.

According to Boolakee, Green Space Co Ltd has been awarded contracts for tree trimming and maintenance—a crucial service for preventing obstructions to telecommunications cables.

Following Singh’s resignation in late June 2022 and Reesaul’s subsequent appointment, the company apparently intensified its demands for payments from Mauritius Telecom, sometimes making requests that contradicted on-site supervisor reports regarding work performed.

The deposition revealed that Reesaul repeatedly expressed a strong interest in the services of Green Space Co Ltd and insisted on the need to expedite their payment requests.

Boolakee was allegedly pressured to draft a letter affirming that Mauritius Telecom required the services of Mattarooa’s company; however, he refused, citing the company’s established protocols.

Since his refusal, Boolakee claimed he has faced retaliation, including a demotion and a shift in his reporting lines away from Deputy Chief Executive Michel Degland to Girish Guddoy.

Colleagues have allegedly encouraged him to comply with Reesaul’s orders, but he has remained steadfast in his decision to report these issues to the FCC.

Furthermore, the inquiry into Mauritius Telecom’s activities is made more complex by another complaint lodged by Sherry Singh with the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID).

This separate investigation pertained to the procurement of eavesdropping equipment and Singh’s trips to India related to the installation of such software in Mauritius.

As investigations are continuing, questions are being raised about the connections between Green Space Co Ltd and government officials, particularly regarding how a company primarily involved in tree trimming has expanded into contracts for the installation of telecommunications equipment in customer homes.

The unfolding situation is indicating a brewing scandal that could implicate several high-level figures in the previous administration as the country grapples with issues of transparency and accountability in governance.

Source: Le Mauricien