By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday 18th February 2019)- Police are currently investigating a domestic dispute which resulted in a fatality this morning, according to a source at the Police Public Relations Department.
Reportedly, the deadly incident occurred at Upper Malone Avenue at about 1:30 a.m.
Unconfirmed reports this media house that the Incident involved a man and his wife, both believed to be in their 30s.
More details to follow.
By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 15th February 2019)- Information reaching this media house indicates that Kittitian Jevon ‘Shadow’ Francis who had been living in Anguilla was shot dead on that neighbouring island over the past weekend.
It is alleged that he was in his vehicle in a parking lot across from the strip area when he was attacked on the night of Friday 8th February
By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 15th February 2019)-Donating black conscious books to schools and youth centres remains a top priority for the Rastafari Nyabinghi Theocracy Order Church of His And Her Imperial Majesty for the occasion of Black History Month, culturally recognised as ‘I Story Month’.
“Happy Happy Black I Story Month, Happy Black I Story redemption. Happy black foundation for all African brothers and sisters. We are not here to entertain racism but we are here to pursue dignity in our livelihood,” said Ras Iyah during a sit-down interview this week in sharing details about the group’s upcoming annual celebrations under the theme ‘Reconnecting Black I Story Month With African Spirituality.’
The 2019 week of activities is slated to begin on Sunday 17th February with a Nyabinghi Ises and reasoning at Phillip’s community from sunset and end with a similar session at St. Paul’s Play Field on Sunday 24th February.
Speaking about the theme, Ras Iyah highlighted: “We are not trying to force anything down anyone’s throat or make anyone feel that we have every answer to the problem; we’re just saying that the knowledge that we receive and we seek forward with and we continue to seek, we are willing to share with our brothers and sisters wherever you form in regard to the love of African heritage…”
Books to be contributed to the St.Paul’s Primary School and the New Horizon Rehabilitation Centre will include content written by local historians such as the 1935 Buckley’s Uprising and the colonial time period.
When asked about the significance of the donation of books, he replied: “These are books that we are looking at to edify our youths so that they can know the struggle that we were facing during the colonial era.”
Ras Iyah went on to say: “One of the things that we should open up our [efforts as a people] is to make an understanding of each and every one but times we are not going to get it worked out the way we would like it from time to time. However, we would be able to see changes come as we begin to work to help the betterment of our development as a people because if we don’t do that and we let the youths grow up without any sense of purpose in life then what they came from or how they came to be at the way they are today in the 21st century , it makes no sense that we have an understanding of what our people fought for, and so that is why we must always incorporate the history to maintain the strive of our people. It is not to force any ideology or philosophy on anyone; it is something that is [connected] in our spiritual thoughts why we have to put knowledge and facts for our people development not how we want to control the world; it is how we going develop the world because the world is more than any one of us so we have to respect mother nature and how she has considered us as a human beings and nature of life.”
According to him: “The history is very important for the young generation to uphold …”
The other calendar events are: Monday 18th – Question and answer radio session and visit to the hospital; Tuesday 19th- Question and answer radio session and visit to the New Horizon Rehabilitation Centre for distribution of local history books; Wednesday 20th-Question and answer radio session and island wide food hamper distribution on St.Kitts and Nevis; Thursday 21st- Question and answer radio session and distribution of local history books to the St. Paul’s Primary; Friday 22nd- Question and answer radio session and visit to the graves of fallen martyrs of St.Kitts and Nevis and on Saturday 23rd -soccer game for children under 16 years old to be held at the McKnight play field , starting at 2PM.
The health benefits of marijuana, youth crime and violence and reparation will be among the topics discussed during the week of activities.
By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 15th February 2019)- What should have been a day with an overriding theme of love turned out to be one of deadly bloodshed as the St.Kitts-Nevis recorded its two latest homicides yesterday (Thursday) on Valentine’s Day with three recorded deaths in under 24 hours.
Up to press time last night, the Federation’s homicide count for 2019 stood at seven (six in St.Kitts and one in Nevis) with those in St.Kitts taking place in the space of seven days.
The latest recorded killing-according to credible information-was that of Gavin Rogers of Old Road. Further details reaching this media house indicates that he was shot at his home sometime after 12 noon. He is believed to be in his late 20s to early 30s.
Joel ‘Bouyaka’ Phillip– said to be in his 20s- was shot and killed sometime close to 4 AM at his home in the St. Johnston community that day.
Joel ‘Bouyaka’ Phillip– said to be in his 20s- was shot and killed sometime close to 4 AM at his home in the St. Johnston community that day.
Vere Amory who carries the nicknames of ‘Stiff Jacket’ and ‘Money’ of Ponds Pasture, Newtown-believe to be in his 30s-was fatally attacked sometime after 7:00 PM in Sandy Point on Wednesday 12th February.
At about 10 PM on Monday 11th February, 28-year-old Eric Thompson, also known as Jun Jun, of Ponds Pasture had arrived at his home when he was shot several times about the body by a lone gunman. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Last Friday (8th February), 33-year-old Musa ‘Ziggy’ Warner and 22-year-old Shakeem Stevens succumbed to their gunshot injuries at the hospital shortly after being attacked by masked gunmen sometime after 10PM in the Green Tree area in Old Road.
Both men were shot multiple times about the body.
St.Kitts-Nevis’ first recorded homicide for 2019 was the death of a New Year ’s Day gunshot victim 28-year-old Nevisian Jahziel Jalani Liburd who died on Tuesday 22nd January while warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Alexandra Hospital in Nevis.
During the early hours of Tuesday 1st January, Liburd and another young man, 22-year-old Keon Moore of Bath Plain, were left injured following a shooting incident at Stone Grove which occurred at about 6:12 AM.
Preliminary investigations by police revealed that both men were attacked by unknown assailants while in a motor car.
They both sustained gunshot injuries about their bodies and were transported to the hospital.
By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts ( Thursday 14th February 2019)- While police have yet to confirm, credible information reaching this media house has indicated that a young man was shot dead early this morning hours after another met the same demise last night.
As gathered a young man who carries the alias of ‘Booyaka’ – believed to be in his 20s- was killed sometime after 2am or 3am in the west Basseterre area while it is alleged that a young man in his 30s nicknamed ‘Stiff Jacket’ was fatally attacked sometime after 8pm in Sandy Point.
More details to be provided in a follow-up report.
UPDATE: Shortly after 8am this morning, a source at the Police Public Relations Department confirmed that the two fatal shootings are currently being investigated.
Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 12, 2019 (RSCNPF): Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Ponds Pasture in which a man was fatally wounded.
The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Monday, February 11. Investigations so far have revealed that 28-year-old Eric Thompson, also known as Jun Jun, of Ponds Pasture had arrived at his home when he was shot several times about the body by a lone gunman. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Members of the Crime Scene Unit visited and processed the scene and collected items of evidential value. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
An appeal is being made to anyone who might have any information regarding this incident to contact the Violent Crime Unit by dialing 467-1887 or 467-1888, 662-3468 or by calling the crime hotline at 707.
By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 8th February 2019)- Steve Wrenford, a resident of Old Road and the Opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party’s (SKNLP) fresh candidate for Constituency Four has shared concern over the land reclamation aspect of the government’s proposed $31 million Old Road Rehabilitation Project in light of the community’s history of threat from coastal erosion.
To this end, he is calling on the government to facilitate discussions with residents of Old Road and nearby villages.
“Old Road has a history of threat from coastal erosion. Over the last ten years or so, a number of families in Old Road, Half Way Tree and Verchilds had to be removed from the coast resettled further inland. This threat becomes much greater during hurricanes. I’m seriously disturbed by the lack of consultation and the lack of proper planning that would cause or end up doing serious damage to people’s hard earned property or even threaten people’s lives,” he stated while speaking on the Party-sponsored weekly ‘Issues’ session aired on FreedomFM on Wednesday 6th February.
“Again, I want to stress that this is no small problem. This is a problem of monumental proportion for the people of Old Road, Verchilds, Middle Island, Godwin Ghaut and Half Way Tree. We are calling on the government to come to the table of consultation with the people of the constituency about the matters that have been raised here,” he added.
According to Wrensford: “When I was studying in the Virgin Islands and I was doing my Masters, we were asked to do a project, and one of the things that I learnt (is that) most of the failures of projects throughout the world came about because there was never any consultation with the residents of the area and so where the residents would have certain unique information that would not be readily available by the naked eye but they would have seen it because they live there, and the so-called engineers with all their accolades would not know the residents were never consulted…”
The rehabilitation road design was put together by ADeB Consultants of Jamaica to be undertaken by local contractor Rock & Dirt Ltd.
Public Works Director Cromwell Williams, at last week’s contract signing ceremony, highlighted features for the construction of a new road of approximately 1.2 kilometers long with aseaward displacement of around 30 feet and at an elevated level of about six to eight feet while the entire length of the road would be protected by rock armouring ranging up to 20 tons.
The SKNLP Constituency Four candidate said the people of Old Road learnt about details of the project in the news.
“It was banded about and eventually there was a signing ceremony so the people of Old Road have learnt in the news just like everyone else that the government has awarded [near] 40 million contract to someone to rehabilitate the Old Road Bay.”
He continued: “The People of Old Road were never consulted at the conceptualisation phase of this project and they have not been properly informed or well-positioned to take advantages of any opportunities which may arise from the project but the greater concern for the people of Old Road and the nearby villages is that this reclamation of land in the Old Road area will disperse the power waves that normally hit the bay and this would be further affecting those further down the coast. Once rocks and dirt are dumped in the Old Road Bay, houses further down the coast will be threatened by powerful waves that will now bounce off the new manmade barrier and move down the coast.”
Following the recent contract signing ceremony for the project, a town hall meeting was held for the residents of challengers and surrounding communities the next day (Thursday 31stJanuary) at the Challengers Community Centre.
Wrensford is also of the view that the rehabilitation project would worsen traffic congestion in Old Road.
“Throughout the Federation Old Road is known as a town that never sleeps so indeed there is always something happening in Old Road. Unfortunately because of the economic hub, the narrow streets are unable to take care of the traffic. This affects the people of Old Road significantly and it also affects the travelling public who often spend precious time in traffic in Old Road.”
He is of the view that such traffic concern “is a problem that will be exasperated by the Old Road Reclamation project. It does not to solve the problem. If anything it makes the problem worse.
He said the SKNLP proposes to construct a bypass road from the Stone Fort area down to Brimstone Hill in Sandy Point.
Additionally, he pledged to make that project a reality should he be elected as the next parliamentary representative after the upcoming general election.
“This [bypass road] would reduce the congestion in Old Road and create a highway that gets people to and from their destinations in quick time. This highway would also bring safety and security and bring much needed relief to the people of Old Road and the nearby villages.”
By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Sunday 10th February 2019)- Lawyers representing Leon Natta wants the court to make a declaration that the well-known senior customs officer is entitled to contest the upcoming general elections, and come tomorrow (Monday) Justice Eddy Ventose is expected to make a judgment in the matter.
On Friday 8th February, legal teams involved in the Leon Natta (the claimant) vs the Attorney General (the respondent) case assembled at the high court for arguments mostly surrounding the Public Service Code.
The session spanned more than one and a half hours, with a 20-minute break, resulting in the judge reserving his judgment.
Sylvester Anthony of Natta’s legal team argued that rules 36 and 38 of the Public Service Code 9 are unconstitutional because they seek to prohibit public servants from expression of their rights to freedom of speech and association and assembly as provided in the constitution.
Such documentation restricts all public servants from engaging in political activity and from involving themselves in political organisations.
Anthony was persistent in highlighting that there is no statute providing for that class. He also added that such class has not been determined by Parliament.
According to him, due to the action taken by the executive “the claimant thinks he’s disqualified” while also stating that those of the executive “believe (Natta) has a duty of loyalty.”
As understood, Natta’s legal team wants the court to make that declaration of entitlement so as to address the “contractual arrangement to bind him.”
Even though both side agree the Code rules are unconstitutional, Natta’s team is of the view that it is “necessary” for the judge to make the declaration.
The claimant’s team is of the opinion that the other side does not want the court to make that declaration because it “would open the flood gates” for all public servants who wish to become involved in political activity.
Anthony, in further supporting his team’s request spoke about it being important “so that it cannot be left to each claimant to figure out if [he/she] can or cannot run [for elections].”
Douglas Mendes of the Attorney General’s legal team spotlighted the code of ethics which speaks to how public servants conduct themselves which raises the questions if the declaration can be granted.
In speaking to Natta’s work function in the public, he listed certain areas such as impartiality, mutuality and neutrality as it relates to his visibility and interaction in the public.
He outlined that Natta “accepts that he is part of management…he makes recommendations…”
Mendes, in trying to make his point about Natta being part of management, talked about his blue customs officer uniform which makes such distinction including components such as the “swords.”
However, Anthony in his rebuttal to Mendes’ managing position argument told the judge that Natta’s “rank is in civil service not customs” while stating further that “none of that is in the Customs Act about uniform and so on. The Customs Act does not have class ranking.”
He stressed the point that the Code does not categorise public servants.
Natta’s legal team is of the view and that the Attorney General’s legal team is asking the court to put him (Natta) in a particular class and to determine that such class of public servants ought to be restricted from involvement in political activities.
In October 2018, in a letter addressed from the Office of the Prime Minister, Natta was suspended from his job on the grounds of participating in party politics having introduced himself as the next candidate to individuals.
In response, Natta’s legal team took the issue to court.
Natta is expected to run on a St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) ticket in the next general elections going up against Prime Minister and Leader of the People Labour Party Dr. Timothy Harris of Constituency Seven.
At one point during his presentation, Anthony told the judge: “This is not about him (Natta) standing on the corner canvassing people; this is about him going to run against the Prime Minister.”
In court that day showing support to Natta were the SKNLP Deputy Leader and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two Marcella Liburd and fresh candidate for Constituency One Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.
To date, the SKNLP is just one candidate short of its eight member slate to context the next general election constitutionally due 2020.
Rumours are abuzz that the approaching elections would be called earlier, and as close as March this year.
By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Saturday 9th February 2019)- Two relatives left wounded following a shooting executed by masked gunmen in Old Road last night have succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
Dead are Musa “Ziggy” Warner and 22-year-old Shakeem Warner, said to be cousins.
Police say the incident took place sometime after 10PM in the Green Tree area whereby both men were shot multiple times about the body.
They were transported to the JNF Hospital by the Emergency Medical Service, where they later died.
Members of the Crime Scene Unit visited and processed the scene. They collected items of evidential value.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing. Persons with information regarding this incident are urged to contact the Violent Crime Unit by dialing 467-1887 or 467-1888, 662-3468 or by calling the crime hotline at 707.
This latest shooting brings the recorded homicide count for 2019 to three; one in Nevis and two in St.Kitts.
By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 7th February 2019)– Two teenage boys have been charged this week in relation to the first two illegal firearms found for 2019 following vehicle search operations, and are among four accused adult males.
Police are reporting that an adult and a teenager have been charged for the second illegal firearm recently discovered.
Michael Phillips of Molyneaux and a 15-year-old juvenile were charged on Monday 4th February for the offences of Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition for a shotgun and four (4) matching cartridge rounds that were found in a vehicle last week.
Following a vehicle search operation on the outskirts of Sandy Point on Friday 1st February, a shotgun with four (4) matching cartridge rounds were found, and the two occupants of the vehicle were both taken into police custody.
Additionally, to date, police have arrested and charged a fourth person in relation to the first illegal firearm that was found during a stop and search operation on Saturday 19th January.
New Road resident 27-year-old Nyon Dasent was charged on Tuesday 29th January for the offences of Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition.
He became the fourth person-including a juvenile- arrested and charged in relation to this incident which saw an early morning search operation, resulting in one Smith and Wesson pistol with five (5) rounds of ammunition being found in a vehicle along Victoria Road in Basseterre.
After a wanted poster was issued on Friday 25th January, Dasent turned himself into police custody days later on Monday 28thJanuary.
Pertaining to this matter, Isaiah Ritchen of East Street, New Town was the first to be charged while two additional persons who were taken in custody-one being the juvenile believed to be 15 to 17 years old- were charged on Monday 4th February.
