Deelawon’s 78 Apartments: Mauritius Land Deal Faces Scrutiny

A chilling tale unfolds, casting a shadow over the hallowed sands of Mauritius. The idyllic shores of Anse-La-Raie, a stone’s throw from the iconic red-roofed church of Cap-Malheureux, become the stage for a drama that speaks volumes about power, timing, and the murky waters of finance.

It was July 2019. The air hung thick with the scent of election fever.

The nation braced itself for the general election, scheduled for the 7th of November.

Amidst this charged atmosphere, a deal, shrouded in intrigue, began to take shape.

Enter Josian Deelawon, a prominent figure in the hotel and property trade, a man who, just months before, on the 15th of February, had been hauled in by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC).

The accusation? Money laundering. Over a staggering 100 million rupees were allegedly found stashed in his office in Pointe-aux-Canonniers.

Yet, despite the looming shadow of the FCC, a stroke of unbelievable luck arrived on the 24th of July.

The Ministry of Housing and Lands, in a move that would raise eyebrows, informed Deelawon that his application for a prime plot of land – a sprawling 2.83 arpents (11,965.45 square meters) on the coveted Pas géométriques of Anse-La-Raie – had been approved.

This land, bordering the turquoise waters and nestled between luxury hotels like the Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel and the Blumarine Attitude, was a developer’s dream.

Deelawon’s company, My Leisure and Project Development Co. Ltd, secured the reservation, with plans to build a “tourist residential complex”.

The strategic location promised soaring land values and a guaranteed windfall.

The Ministry demanded a deposit of 150,000 rupees per arpent and a contribution of 750,000 rupees per arpent to the Consolidated Fund before a lease could be signed.

He was given eighteen months to jump through the bureaucratic hoops, including submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Yet, delays became the norm. Extensions were granted. Each time, the reason? A need to “revise the project plans.”

The story took another twist on the 14th of June, 2022.

The Ministry of Tourism, in a further nod of approval, stated it had “no objection” to a residential complex operating under the “Ground +2 Scheme”.

The initial vision of a tourist complex quietly morphed into a residential development, a “VEFA” project (Vente en l’État Futur d’Achèvement, or sale of property under construction) “for tourist needs.”

The reality? A thinly veiled attempt to sell prime residential units to a foreign clientele, at a hefty price.

My Leisure and Project Development Co. Ltd – a company wholly owned by Deelawon – finally lodged an EIA application with the Ministry of Environment.

The proposal was for a development of six apartment blocks, complete with a reception area, restaurant, gym, and spa.

The plans outlined the construction of 78 residential units, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. The G+2 buildings would be nestled amidst lush greenery.

Promising 75 direct jobs, the company’s EIA file caught the attention of the Ministry of Environment.

Despite the ongoing financial investigations, the green light was given on the 8th of March, 2023.

The final chapter? Unwritten. The development, thus far, remains incomplete. But the story, brimming with unanswered questions, stands as a stark reminder: in the world of high-stakes development, sometimes the biggest winners are those who appear to be losing.

Source: Defi Media