Bruneau Laurette Claims Rioters Were Paid Rs 3,000 to Join Unrest
Activist Bruneau Laurette alleges that paid agitators, dubbed 'jockeys', were hired for Rs 3,000 each to take part in Mauritius's recent civil unrest.
Prominent Mauritian civil society activist Bruneau Laurette has made a serious allegation in connection with the recent wave of riots and looting that struck parts of Mauritius: that some participants were not spontaneous protesters but paid agitators hired specifically to fuel the disorder.
Laurette, who rose to national prominence during the 2020 MV Wakashio oil spill protests and has since remained an outspoken public figure, claims that individuals he describes as 'jockeys' β a local term for hired hands brought in to perform a specific task β were each paid Rs 3,000 to participate in the disturbances.
The allegation implies that at least some of the violence and looting seen in recent days was organised and financially motivated rather than purely driven by public anger. If true, it would point to a coordinated effort to destabilise public order in Mauritius.
Laurette did not, according to the report, name those responsible for allegedly funding or organising the payments. It is not clear what evidence underpins his claim, and no official confirmation from the Mauritius Police Force or the government has been reported at this stage.
The riots broke out amid a period of significant social tension in Mauritius, with incidents of looting reported at several commercial locations including Winners supermarket in Bambous and Cascavelle Shopping Mall in the west of the island. A nationwide curfew was imposed by authorities and has since been lifted following a return to relative calm.
Laurette's claim adds a new dimension to the public debate about what triggered the unrest and who may have been behind it. Calls for accountability have come from across Mauritian civil society and the business community, with organisations including Business Mauritius and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) urging a return to calm and national unity.
The use of paid participants to swell the ranks of protests or riots is not unique to Mauritius and has been alleged in civil disturbances in various countries. However, such allegations are difficult to verify without a formal investigation.
Mauritian authorities have not publicly responded to Laurette's specific claims. It remains to be seen whether police or an independent body will investigate the alleged payments.
What this means: If Laurette's allegations are substantiated, they could lead to criminal investigations into the organisation and financing of the riots, which carry serious legal consequences under Mauritian law. The claim also raises broader questions about the nature of the recent unrest and whether it was, at least in part, manufactured.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bruneau Laurette?β
Bruneau Laurette is a Mauritian civil society activist who became widely known during the 2020 MV Wakashio oil spill crisis, when he helped organise large public protests demanding government accountability. He has remained an active and outspoken public commentator on political and social issues in Mauritius.
What happened during the recent riots in Mauritius?β
A wave of civil unrest, looting and road-blocking incidents hit parts of Mauritius, including Bambous and the Cascavelle area in the west. Authorities imposed a nationwide curfew to restore order. Several arrests were made, including four individuals linked to looting at Cascavelle Mall, two of whom were minors. The curfew has since been lifted.
Is it illegal to participate in riots or looting in Mauritius?β
Yes. Under Mauritian law, participating in riots, blocking roads or looting can result in serious criminal penalties. Authorities have warned that curfew-related offences alone can carry prison sentences of up to five years.
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