Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has rejected Red Thread’s criticism of her remarks on the investigation into allegations against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, saying she neither mandated a confrontation between the complainant and the accused nor instructed investigators to breach the Sexual Offences Act.
In a statement, Walrond accused the organisation of mischaracterising her comments and engaging in selective advocacy. Her response followed comments by Red Thread’s Karen De Souza to Kiskadee Watch, expressing alarm at the proposed confrontation and questioning the independence of the investigative arrangements.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I did not say that the complainant would be confronted by the accused. I did not mandate such a confrontation, and I have issued no instruction directing investigators to subject the complainant to any procedure contrary to the Sexual Offences Act,” Walrond stated.
She said she had communicated information provided to her about the investigative process and that criminal investigations were the responsibility of investigators acting within the law.
“I neither design nor direct the day-to-day investigative procedures of the Guyana Police Force,” she said.
During the Starting Point podcast, however, Walrond had expressly referred to a “formal confrontation” as a step in the investigation.
As reported by Kiskadee Watch, she said: “I can confirm that she (the complainant) has given a statement. I am informed from the Commissioner (of Police) that a team has been set up to deal with this investigation. The investigation would entail getting statements from the other persons in whom they think would be appropriate to get statements and statements from the accused who is the Deputy Commissioner Karimbaksh and to hold a formal confrontation”.
Asked whether this was a process followed for any rape allegation, Walrond said: “The fact is that Mr Karimbaksh is at the helm of the police force, he is a Deputy Commissioner and so there is a particular procedure that has to be followed and so … the confrontation that would be held from the team that would be assigned after that confrontation then the matter will be adjudicated whether its disciplinary action or criminal action that would be for the criminal investigation department to determine and this team who is doing the investigation”.
Her latest statement denies directing a confrontation but does not explain what the proposed “formal confrontation” would involve, whether it remains part of the investigation or whether the complainant has requested it.
Section 42(1) of the Sexual Offences Act protects a complainant from being required to recount her complaint, or any part of it, in the accused’s presence unless she wishes to do so. Subsection (2) also restricts requiring her to view or be in the alleged perpetrator’s presence, except for identification under arrangements sensitive to her wellbeing.
Responding to questions from Kiskadee Watch, De Souza had said: “Red Thread is in fact appalled that the minister, who is also a legal practitioner … would even as a slip of the tongue suggest that there would be a confrontation between the complainant and Mr Karimbaksh”.
De Souza’s criticism concerned the minister’s suggestion that a confrontation would occur. She did not describe Walrond’s remarks as an instruction to investigators to violate the complainant’s rights.
She also questioned the internal investigative team established by Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken.
“I do not think that we have a whole lot of confidence. In fact, I know we do not have lots of confidence in the reported investigating committee that has been set up by the commissioner of police. That’s foolishness. That’s nonsense,” De Souza said.
“The fact that the accused is still on the job, still in a position to exert influence in all kinds of ways is not a good sign,” she added.
In her response, Walrond said Red Thread had falsely converted her remarks into an instruction to violate a complainant’s rights.
She also accused the organisation of showing greater urgency in its criticism of the PPP/C government than on other matters of national concern.
“Advocacy is important in a democracy. Selective advocacy, however, does not entitle anyone to manufacture a position and then condemn the Government for holding it,” she stated.
Walrond further said: “Conveniently absent from this latest attack is the fact that I publicly stated that, in my view, Deputy Commissioner Karimbaksh should be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. That position could hardly be clearer.”
Kiskadee Watch’s report on De Souza’s comments did include the minister’s stated preference for administrative leave. It also recorded that Walrond had referred to the absence of a constituted Police Service Commission and indicated that she and the commissioner would have to discuss how to proceed.
In the podcast, Walrond had said: “It is my view and I hold this strong view that he (Karimbaksh) should be sent on administrative leave pending the investigation.
Her latest release does not announce that Karimbaksh has been placed on leave.
De Souza had questioned why the commission remained unconstituted and called for the accused to be removed from any position in which he could influence investigators or other persons who might wish to come forward.
“If it’s never constituted, does that mean that he remains in that position collecting taxpayer dollars while he is accused of abusing taxpayers?” she asked.
She also urged protection for the complainant, a serving police officer, and recognition of the difficulty of reporting allegations against a senior officer.
“The public has to keep an eye on this case. We have to be vigilant and we have to maintain some pressure with the expectation that the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act will be implemented,” she said.
Walrond had stated that the complainant was transferred at her own request. The police subsequently announced an investigative team but did not identify its members or provide a timetable for its work.
In her latest statement, the minister said both the complainant’s legal protections and the accused’s entitlement to due process must be upheld.
“This is a serious criminal allegation involving a senior member of the Guyana Police Force. It deserves a serious investigation—not political theatre, manufactured controversy or trial by public commentary,” she said.
“I remain resolute that the investigation must be professional, impartial and thorough. Let the investigators investigate. Let the evidence determine the outcome. And let the law take its course.”
Walrond has not spoken to the independent media on this case but chose the government-aligned podcast to make her remarks.
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