Home Affairs minister Clement Rohee is expected to take the stand on Wednesday as hearing by a commission of inquiry into the shooting to death of three protesters in Linden on July 18 last continue. The minister, according to sources, is very anxious to take the stand to state his position.
Politicians from the opposition are maintaining police shot and killed the protesters upon instructions from Rohee, an allegation he has since denied. No evidence has been provided to link the police or Rohee to the shootings.
There were accusations too that Rohee who has oversight of the police force had been in contact during the stand-off at the Wismar/McKenzie bridge on the day of the fatal shooting, however telephone records that emerged subsequently quelled that allegation since it showed indeed there were calls between the Home Affairs Minister and the then commander Clifton Hicken, but it was after the shooting took place.
Lawyers for the Lindeners who were killed and those who were injured, have been pressing for the minister to take the stand and he has now indicated he will do so on Wednesday.
But observers are now questioning whether or not it is necessary for him to be grilled by the commissioners and cross examined by lawyers since so far there have been no evidence implicating him in any way.
Many are courting political motive, since many of the lawyers who are representing the victims are either members of parliament or hold senior positions in the opposition.