Access to beaches by Seychellois remains an issue of
contention in Seychelles. There have been continuous reports and complains by
locals and tourists alike that they have been barred from accessing a portion
of beach adjacent to the Kempinski Hotel and Resort at Baie Lazare since that
portion of beach is heavily guarded. There have also been allegations that physical
force has also been used in the recent past against those who made attempts to
trod on the ‘forbidden’ portion of the beach.
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| Foreign Security Guard |
On Friday 11th April 2014 a group of locals decided to find out
the real truths behind the many allegations and complaints. Armed with cameras
of all sorts and a determination of steel, they decided to walk the beach from Anse
Gouvernment to witness what would develop. The group was indeed stopped after
the Kempinski Resort by a foreign security guard who told them that the portion
of beach is inaccessible because there was a VVIP function underway. Amid
threats, the group did not budge and forged ahead under the watchful eyes of an
army of security personnel. Suddenly half a dozen men hopped onto the beach.
They were speaking Afrikaans and on being questioned, confirmed they were South
Africans. They loitered and seemed at a lost on what to do about the situation
as the group moved deeper into ‘forbidden territory’.
Further ahead, a
pontoon had been deployed right up to the high water mark effectively an
intimidation to prevent people from crossing over to the more ‘secretive’ part
of the beach. Security guards took their positions on the pontoon but the group
would not be deterred; they crossed over to the portion of the beach where an army
of beautiful local girls were seen passionately attending to few middle aged
men under a thatched roof bungalow. On realizing that there was a crowd of
unwelcomed locals on the beach witnessing their private show, the girls
retreated out of view and all the stroking came to an abrupt end. Having
achieved the aim of what was intended, the local pilgrims walked back for a
well-deserved break; after all, it was a long walk with the early afternoon sun
beating down heavily as the high tide swells was beating mercilessly against
their bodies making movement difficult.
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| Pontoon laid across beach |
It was a worthwhile
pilgrimage but a sad one. Seychelles has changed drastically over the last few
years; movement for locals is more and more restricted. Swimmers and boat
owners are also warned to keep their distance from that area of the beach. On
that part of our territory, national laws are not adhered to. Construction is
done right onto the beach and the planning regulations are not followed.
The group has decided to compile the recordings and post it
on social network so that the world becomes aware on what is happening in
paradise and how the rights of the people of Seychelles are being violated.
More pilgrimages have been planned with the aim of sensitizing people on the need
to stand their ground in their own country.
By A.Pierre
