Rajayswur Bhowon resigned from the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) after revealing he no longer had an affinity with his party. He has not spared any criticisms of his former leader. “Pravind Jugnauth does not have any legitimacy as the leader of the MSM because the population has rejected him from Parliament.” But Bhowoon has not been treated gently by the party either: “His resignation is a blessing for the party,” declared the MSM vice-president, Showkutally Soodhun. He even added that the resigning MP was a “catastrophe” as a PPS between 2000 and 2005 and sees in his latest action evidence of “manipulation by the Labour party”. But he has so far denied that he will join the government… at least, “not for the moment.”

<B>More houses for squatters</B>

The minister of Lands and Housing, Asraf Dulull, expects the private sector to help the government provide housing for the population. This will be part of the Public Private Partnership concept from which all stakeholders should benefit. “They have the money, we have the plots of land, and we will offer the infrastructure. We should now finalise the methods of this partnership and reduce red tape to encourage investors to come forward,” explained the minister. At the end of the month, he will officially announce his new policy that should help provide more houses more quickly for squatters.

<B>Fed up of waiting for a move</B>

Mare-Chicose inhabitants can’t wait anymore. If no decision is taken to try and improve their daily lives, they intend to organise a protest before the National Assembly. Because of a waste disposal site close to their homes, the inhabitants have asked the government to give them new houses as well as financial compensation for all the damage caused to their health by the proximity of the site. The inhabitants consider that their MPs, Rajesh Jeetah and Arvin Boolell, have been using delaying tactics since their arrival in government; this time they are determined to take action.