VIPSU Inspector Accused of Taking Rs 33,000 to Drop Six Fines
A complaint letter sent to Mauritius police headquarters accuses a VIPSU inspector of demanding Rs 33,000 to shelve six traffic or offence files.
A formal complaint has been lodged against a police inspector attached to the Very Important Persons Security Unit, known as the VIPSU, alleging that he demanded a total of Rs 33,000 in exchange for suppressing six contraventions files.
The letter of denunciation was sent directly to the VIPSU headquarters. According to the complaint, the officer, who held the rank of sergeant at the time the alleged acts took place in 2024, is said to have requested these payments in return for ensuring that a series of offence or traffic violation reports were quietly shelved rather than formally processed.
The VIPSU is a specialised unit within the Mauritius Police Force responsible for protecting very important persons and very very important persons, commonly referred to as VIPs and VVIPs. These designations cover senior government officials, ministers, judges and other high-profile individuals who are assigned dedicated police escorts and protection details. Being attached to a VVIP is considered a position of trust and privilege within the force.
The case raises serious questions about the conduct of officers operating within this elite security unit, where proximity to powerful figures can create both opportunity and risk of abuse.
The total sum allegedly demanded, Rs 33,000, spread across six separate dossiers, suggests a pattern rather than an isolated incident. Each payment would have corresponded to the dropping of a specific contravention, though the nature of those contraventions has not been fully disclosed in the information available.
As of now, it is not confirmed whether a formal disciplinary or criminal investigation has been opened, or whether the inspector has been suspended from duty or reassigned pending any inquiry.
What this means: Corruption within a close-protection unit is taken seriously in Mauritius because such officers operate near the highest levels of government with considerable access and discretion. If the allegations are substantiated, the officer could face internal disciplinary proceedings as well as criminal charges under Mauritian anti-corruption law, which is enforced by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, known as ICAC. Members of the public or fellow officers can report suspected corruption directly to ICAC or through police internal affairs channels.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VIPSU in Mauritius?β
The VIPSU, or Very Important Persons Security Unit, is a specialised division of the Mauritius Police Force. It is responsible for providing close protection and security escorts to senior government officials, ministers, judges and other designated VIPs and VVIPs in Mauritius.
Who investigates police corruption in Mauritius?β
Police corruption in Mauritius can be investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, known as ICAC, which operates independently of the police force. Internal police disciplinary procedures may also run in parallel. Members of the public can report suspected corruption directly to ICAC.
What could happen to a Mauritius police officer found guilty of bribery?β
Under Mauritian law, a police officer found guilty of bribery or corruption can face criminal prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which is enforced by ICAC, as well as internal disciplinary action that could result in dismissal from the force.
From Our Network
Find Property in Mauritius
Search Listings β
π§ Breaking alerts straight to your inbox