Inquiry into fmr. Minister ‘Sash’ Sawh’s murder imminent
More than a decade after gunmen, in a home invasion that shocked the nation, killed former Minister Satyadeo Sawh, the administration has recommitted its readiness to launch an inquiry.
Murdered 10 years ago: Fmr. Agri Minister, Satyadeow ‘Sash’ Sawh
On Wednesday, President David Granger disclosed that he has been approached by a “blood relative” of Sawh who has appealed for an inquiry.
None was launched by Sawh’s own party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), since his murder back on the evening of April 22, 2006.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday during his weekly taped television programme, ‘The Public Interest’, President Granger made it clear that an inquiry is coming.
It would be part of a bigger quest to find answers to the several deaths dating back to the early 2000s, under the reign of the PPP/C governments.
Admitting that he is committed to a full investigation into the minister’s killing, the President noted that many were killed, including witnesses.
A formal Commission of Inquiry will be launched in due course, he said, stressing that his first commitment is to assure relatives that the deaths will be investigated.
Last year August, the President promised that thorough inquiries will be held into the killings of Sawh and all who were slain during the 2000 and 2008 period.
The President made the announcement at a one-day symposium organized by the Cuffy 250 Committee in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Slave Rebellion.
“When you have Ministers of government bringing in computers so you can track down people’s mobile phones; when you have a lot of men being shot at the back of their heads with their hands tied; when you have so many deaths which are not being investigated; when you have a minister of government who has been assassinated and you don’t have an inquest into his death, there is something stink and we are going to investigate those deaths,” said Granger.
President David Granger
“Never before in history have so many policemen been killed than during the tenure of office of Bharrat Jagdeo and that is why they constructed that monument (Fallen Heroes) and if you go to Buxton you will see another huge monument,” the President remarked referencing the Monument in Buxton, East Coast Demerara where the names of over 450 victims of extra-judicial killings over the last two decades are inscribed.
“So, Mr. Jagdeo has many monuments to his memory and those three monuments must remind us about the deaths which took place between 2000 and 2008 when he was President. We must make sure that our country never again becomes so divided that we feel that the only way of resolve our differences is by violent crime,” the President said.
Sawh, his sister Phulmattie Persaud, brother Rajpat Rai Sawh and security guard, Curtis Robinson, were gunned down on the evening of April 22, 2008 at the Minister’s La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara residence.
The killing sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Sawh was a Minister of the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government but the questions over his death were many. No inquest was ever held. One man was charged with the murder.
The promised external assistance that Government had announced it would have been seeking following Sawh’s death never materialised.
Since the establishment of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 62 officers and ranks have died in the line of duty. Interestingly, 31 of them died during the period President Granger vows to investigate.
Among the slain lawmen was Superintendent Leon Fraser in 2002. His death also left questions and calls for investigation.
On January 26, 2008, heavily armed gunmen stormed the village of Lusignan, slaughtering 11 persons, including five children.
On February 17, 2008, a number of gunmen invaded the mining community of Bartica, Essequibo. They attacked the Bartica Police Station, where they killed Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constable Shane Fredericks and Constable Ron Osborne.
After murdering the three police officers, the gang stole cash, arms, ammunition and a vehicle from the police station. Using the stolen police vehicle, they drove through the streets of Bartica shooting at civilians, fatally wounding Irwin Gilkes.
They then proceeded to CBR Mining, where they killed Irving Ferreira, stole arms and ammunition and removed two safes containing cash and gold.
Next, they shot and killed Dexter Adrian before returning to the wharf. At the wharf, they executed Abdool Yassin Jr, Deonarine Singh, Errol Thomas, Ronald Gomes, Baldeo Singh and Ashraf Khan.
Eight years ago, eight gold miners were slaughtered at Lindo Creek, Berbice River.
Officials of the then PPP/C government were convinced that the crime wave was drug and gang-related.
By the time of the Diwali massacre of November 2002, ‘phantom’ gangs had killed many and the police were not making any arrests.
