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Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has stepped down following a scandal, where she used a credit card issued to her by a non-governmental organisation to buy luxury personal items, including clothes and jewelry.
Her attorney, Yousouf Mohamed told reporters that she submitted her resignation in the "national interest", in an abrupt change of mind after initially vowing she wouldn't stand down.
The Africa's only female Head of State said her resignation would take effect on March 23rd. Gurib-Fakim had initially vowed to fight the allegations that first appeared in a local newspaper, L'Express.
The newspaper reported that she used a bank card granted by an NGO to make personal purchases, including jewellery worth about 25,000 euros.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth had last week announced that Gurib-Fakim had agreed to resign, but in a rejoinder, the presidency hit out at "weeks of attacks and false allegations" and indicated that Gurib-Fakim would seek to clear her name and wouldn't step down.
It is not clear what caused her sudden about-turn, but her lawyer said that she was "relieved" and had made the decision to resign after enduring a "difficult time in recent weeks."
Gurib-Fakim, a chemistry professor, was appointed to the ceremonial post two years ago, becoming the island country’s first female President. She denied having done anything wrong and had refunded all the cash in question.
“I do not owe anything to anybody. Why is this issue coming up now almost a year later on the eve of our independence day celebrations,” she said in a speech on March 7th.
The NGO that issued the credit card supports education by offering scholarships, and president Ameenah Gurib-Fakim served there as an unpaid director.
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If the Mauritius authorities are serious in fighting corruption,can Pravind explain how jambazi Kirubi registered CENTUM in his country to evade taxation in Kenya?He did this after looting every penny at ICDC which he had been appointed Chaiman/MD by muuaji Moi.Can you imangine he used to loan himself money there,bought shares there using the name ICDC INVESTMENT and ati he was the same person paying and accounting for the loans.He made ICDC a shell but his former boss and looting companion,jambazi Kibaki and another thug,Jambazi Uhuru pumped billions of shillings from poor/hungry Kenyans to the company.
@karinga I hear u,please check some of the USA president banks in Switzerland n have invested outside the USA to many countries where they invade taxes.Check bush,Clinton,trump.So when we mention Kirubi let’s mentions this guys I mentioned too.Dont just see one side.Most of this leaders r heavily corrupt but when they r caught like this lady they start to go off!Mtu akule sweat yake.Why did she return the money she is supposed to go serve in jail if Truly she is clean as she thinks.
Does their investments abroad mean that jambazi Kirubi had to "EAT" and cause the sacking or non employment of more that 50000 Kenyans?Kila mutu ambembe musaramba wake.Huyu shetani should be punished for his offences.Or maybe you get a share of his loot.
A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do!! We get that, lakini ladies (and gents) when they lavish you with all that extras at your disposal, you got to keep it real and use it only for business. Reason: When they start tiring of you and can't find a tangible reason, they start combing those hidden extras for abusive usage. Shetani mbaya, makes our ego so inflated, we think we are invisible. Shukuru, use what is rightfully yours and zip the rest away! Greed ni pepo mbaya sana!!