Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission – Hearing Number 246 ‘Albert Rene destroyed the whole system of civilisation in Seychelles,’ says Jocelyn Anacoura |21 January 2022

Prior to June 5, 1977, the people of Seychelles were harmonious, while the communities and families alike were bonded, living in unity, extending a helping a hand whenever needed, before Albert Rene decided to destroy the whole system of civilisation.

Complainant Jocelyn Anacoura, a former sergeant in the police force, made the above statement on Wednesday while presenting her grievance before the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (TRNUC) in case 113, filed by herself regarding several victimisations she endured for being a vocal person, expressing her views on the wrongdoings which were happening in the country during the one-party era, including an illegal arrest.

She said the attitude of people changed, based on fear instilled in them by the system, eliminating respect and joie de vivre in the local culture.

A former school teacher, Mrs Anacoura joined the Seychelles Police Force in June 1972, where she served in various departments, with preference for cases involving the youth, while working in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) section.

In January 1975 she attended the Ashford Camp Police Training Centre in England following the recommendation of the then Commissioner of Police, before being promoted to the rank of sergeant.

After the 1977 coup, Mrs Anacoura was transferred to the Anse Royale Police Station where she engaged with the community, giving advice to young girls and the elderly on how to protect themselves.

She explained that she was very vocal and frank regarding the unlawful regime in place at that time, especially with the way the country was being governed, with the kind of decisions that were being taken, for example the setting up of the National Youth Service (NYS).

Stating the law of the land, Mrs Anacoura noted that if a parent is responsible for his or her child until the age of 18, how come they were sent to the NYS at the age of 14.

Even if they had the choice of not going to the NYS, Mrs Anacoura said they were forced to attend since it was the only bridge to access further education at that time.

Regarding her job as a police officer, Mrs Anacoura said it was not easy to perform her duties with the presence of a militia base at the Anse Royale Police Station where she was posted.

She explained that as police officers, they were like marionettes, or puppets on strings, abiding by orders coming straight from the top.

On one occasion, she herself as a police sergeant was even arrested by a member of the militia by the name of Brutus while performing her duties.

She explained that after dispersing a small crowd who was drinking by the roadside, she was walking back to the police station, carrying a bottle of alcohol she has seized from the drinkers when Brutus, who according to her, was under the influence of alcohol, ‘arrested’ her, thinking she was the owner of the bottle.

In 1979 after a Magistrate Court session, when reporting for duty at the Anse Royale station, she was informed by her superior, Superintendent Naiken, to dress into her civilian clothes and report to the Commissioner of Police.

Mr Naiken also advised her to get rid of any leaflet, if she did have any in her police quarter.

Once at the Central Police Station, she was served with a detention order, before being placed in a cell.

In relation to her arrest and detention, Mrs Anacoura made reference to a recent event whereby the opposition party United Seychelles (US) wrote to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, complaining about the state of the cells at the Central Police Station.

Mrs Anacoura noted that she is also a woman and was detained in the same cell, without any charge.

In other words, she was being detained while being innocent of any crime and not being a criminal.

Mrs Anacoura spent three days in detention at the Central Police Station, before being transferred to the Union Vale Prison where she spent three months.

While at Union Vale, Mrs Anacoura said they were regularly taken to the Central Police Station to be questioned by Tite Morin.

On the day of June 1977 coup, Mrs Anacoura said she was in the compound of the Central Police Station and while going out with the late Samuel Charlette in a car, she saw Davidson Chang-Him at the gate of the station.

She said Mr Chang-Him was saying “Zot ti pe rod mwan, la mon la” (You were looking for me, here I am).

Mrs Anacoura said she also saw Philip D’Offay in possession of a gun.

Upon her return to the station she learned about the assassination of Mr Chang-Him.

She also talked about her house which was unlawfully acquired under the Tenants Rights Act by her occupant which she said was a fervent supporter of the regime at that time.

Mrs Anacoura was then forced to immigrate to Germany where she is still living to date.

Roland Duval