Two Wives of Same Man Report Knives, Threats and Captivity in Plaine-Verte
A 40-year-old man with a prior criminal record has been arrested after two women he was married to reported death threats, assault and unlawful confinement.
A disturbing domestic violence case has emerged from Plaine-Verte, a densely populated neighbourhood in central Port Louis, after two women married to the same man filed police complaints describing days of terror between Thursday 5 and Saturday 7 November.
The two women, aged 37 and 42, are both married to a 40-year-old man described by police as a drug-dependent individual with a prior criminal record. He was previously arrested in 2007 for illegal possession of a weapon and drug offences. Following the new complaints, he was arrested and placed in custody at the Vallee-des-Pretres police station, located in northern Port Louis.
The ordeal reportedly began on Thursday 5 November when the younger wife, aged 37 and civilly married to the man for 13 years, received death threats over the phone. Fearing for their safety and the safety of their children, both women fled the family home and took refuge with a relative in Grand-Sable, a locality in the east of Mauritius.
However, after repeated promises from the man that he would change his behaviour, the two women agreed to return home. That decision proved dangerous. According to the complaints filed, the suspect was waiting for his 37-year-old wife with a concealed knife upon her return.
He allegedly forced her to accompany him to the Plaine-Verte Arena, a public sports facility in the neighbourhood, where he collected a utility vehicle. Once inside the van, he reportedly produced a blade measuring approximately 15 centimetres and used it to threaten and control her movements, in what police are treating as an act of unlawful confinement, known in Mauritian law as sequestration.
Both women have since filed formal complaints at the police station. The suspect has been charged in connection with domestic violence, death threats and sequestration.
What this means: Domestic violence involving polygamous or multi-partner situations presents particular legal and social challenges in Mauritius. Victims in such circumstances can find it harder to seek help due to social stigma or uncertainty about their legal rights. Any person experiencing domestic violence in Mauritius can contact the Ministry of Gender Equality's helpline or approach their nearest police station to file a complaint. The Protection from Domestic Violence Act gives courts the power to issue protection orders, occupation orders and tenancy orders to safeguard victims and their children.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal protection can domestic violence victims access in Mauritius?β
In Mauritius, the Protection from Domestic Violence Act allows victims to apply for protection orders, occupation orders and tenancy orders through the courts. Victims can report incidents at any police station or contact the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, which operates support services for those affected by domestic abuse.
What is sequestration under Mauritian law?β
Sequestration in Mauritius refers to the unlawful confinement or restraint of a person against their will. It is a criminal offence under the Mauritius Penal Code and can result in arrest and prosecution, as seen in this Plaine-Verte case where the suspect allegedly used a knife to prevent his wife from leaving a vehicle.
Where is Plaine-Verte located in Mauritius?β
Plaine-Verte is a densely populated urban neighbourhood situated in central Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. It is close to the Vallee-des-Pretres area, where the suspect in this case is being held in police custody.
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