Royal Ascot Scandal: MTPA’s £25K ‘Ghost Payment’ Exposed in Parliament

Troubling revelations emerged during a parliamentary session on July 8, 2025, concerning the use of public funds by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA). Patrick Assirvaden, speaking on behalf of the Tourism Minister, detailed a series of questionable expenses involving the MTPA and entities linked to Sanjiv Ramdanee, brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

One major issue is a payment of over Rs 5.6 million made to Mauriplage Beach Resort Ltd, the owner of the hotel, with no clear evidence showing how this money was used.

Assirvaden explained that from 2016 to 2024, there was close collaboration between the MTPA and companies owned by Ramdanee and his relatives, including Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Mauriplage, and Dhyanavartam.

Although Ramdanee did not participate in official international missions organized by the MTPA from 2014 to 2024, the partnership between these entities allegedly resulted in undue favors, especially during participation in costly international events.

A significant concern involves expenses related to the Royal Ascot horse racing event held in the United Kingdom in 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024.

The MTPA spent public funds on attending these events, but Assirvaden stated that these expenditures did not benefit Mauritius or the MTPA directly.

Notably, Rs 5,665,591.75 was paid to Mauriplage, supposedly to share the event costs, but there is no proof that these funds were transferred to the event organizers, except in 2022.

In 2024, a payment of £25,000 – (Rs 1 375 000 Approx.) made to the MTPA’s UK representative was later transferred to Mauriplage without clear justification.

The MTPA also paid this amount to its UK representative, then transferred it to Mauriplage, raising questions about transparency.

Assirvaden emphasized that the MTPA has no evidence that Mauriplage paid the event organizers or settled its remaining costs.

“It is shocking that, to this day, the MTPA does not know if Mauriplage paid the organisers or fulfilled its financial commitments.

The only documentation available is a confirmation from Mauriplage that it received the funds from the MTPA,” he said.

Furthermore, Assirvaden highlighted that in 2024, the MTPA sent the payment to its UK representative, who then transferred the same funds to Mauriplage for unknown reasons.

The Minister also discussed the 2024 Snow Polo World Cup in Switzerland, held from January 26 to 28, which the MTPA partnered with Maradiva Resorts exclusively.

The MTPA booked a slot for participation, but the event was canceled at the last minute, exposing the authority to a Rs 2.7 million penalty.

Assirvaden explained that an ex-MTPA director had, without approval from the board, booked the spot in the name of both the MTPA and Maradiva, then withdrew at the last moment.

The event organizer is now suing the MTPA for non-payment of Rs 2.7 million.

Additionally, Assirvaden revealed that Rs 360,563.34 was spent on the 2020 Financial Times Live/Global conference, which involved former MTPA Director Arvind Bundhun and Sanjiv Ramdanee.

The payment was made using a MTPA credit card and is currently under investigation by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) for possible unauthorized use.

Other questionable expenses include Rs 450,000 spent on the Maradiva White Party in October 2024, during which four “Coco Girls” dancers from Eastern Europe were brought in at a cost of Rs 265,400 for five airline tickets.

The identity of these dancers was reportedly falsified, with claims that they were journalists or media influencers. In addition, in July 2017, the MTPA sponsored the purchase of five airline tickets on Emirates Airlines for Rs 265,400 to support a familiarization trip organized by Maradiva.

MTPA’s “Press” Trip

In 2021, the MTPA also financed travel expenses of Rs 52,754 for a press trip linked to Maradiva. All these expenses are now subject to investigation.

Regarding the Royal Ascot expenses, the MTPA’s payments over the years included:

• 2016: Rs 819,504 to Mauriplage, approved March 24
• 2017: Rs 1,639,147.75, approved April 20
• 2018: Rs 819,860, approved June 8
• 2019: Rs 912,080, approved June 27
• 2024: £25,000 (Rs 1,475,000) paid to PR UK and transferred to Mauriplage, totaling Rs 5,665,591.75

Former Deputy Prime Minister and ex-Tourism Minister Steven Obeegadoo stated he would investigate these allegations. When contacted, he said, “I will look into this matter.”

The current MTPA President, Donald Payen, declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation. Ex-director Arvind Bundhun also urged patience, saying, “Let justice take its course.”

The authorities are now examining these transactions, which involve allegations of misuse of public funds and potential conflicts of interest involving individuals close to former government officials.

Source: Defi Media