…party GS says assault allegations are “hearsay” until judgement is passed
General Secretary (GS) of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Marlon Williams on Monday said that the allegations of assault against Region 5 Councillor Abel Seetaram are “hearsay” and until judgement is passed no disciplinary actions will be taken [by the party] against him.
“All of this is hearsay. No judgement and should there be judgement, then we will cross that bridge when it comes,” he told INews during a telephone interview.
Nevertheless, Williams encouraged “everyone” to embrace the legal path to pursue justice wherever they may feel it is necessary.
“Like all political parties around the world, our members are expected to uphold the law and of course we will have people with personal issues…We continue to encourage the use of the judicial system, we encourage the rule of law and following the rule of law,” he noted.
Embattled Executive Member of the AFC, Abel Seetaram on January 24, 2018 appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court charged with wounding his cousin, who is a plantain chip vendor.
It is alleged that on Sunday, January 21 at Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice, Seetaram wounded Nateram Rabindranauth.
Magistrate Rhondel Weaver granted Seetaram bail in the sum of G$100,000 on the felonious wounding charge and ordered that he returns to court on February 7, 2018.
It had been reported that the two men had an altercation which led to the incident.
It was also alleged that Seetaram and his son inflicted a series of blows on the father of one. The embattled politician’s wife was also part of the fracas.
Seetaram who is no stranger to controversy was on May 30, 2016, fired from his post as Special Representative to the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo.
Back then, a release was issued stating that the Office of the Prime Minister has “terminated with immediate effect the services of Abel Seetaram as Regional Representative of the Office of the Prime Minister for Region 5.”
Reports are that his firing came on the heels of comments he made on social media, where he lashed out at the AFC for “disrespecting him” after members of the party held an outreach without including him.
He was also involved in another incident a few days before which saw him crashing a new and expensive Government-owned vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
Reports are that on May 8, 2016, Seetaram allegedly lost control of the vehicle and rammed it into the fence of a businessman.
He was subsequently charged with being an unlicenced driver, dangerous driving and breach of insurance.
His neighbour had also reported that apart from being verbally abuse, Seetaram allegedly exposed his privates to her family member.
It is alleged that it was not the first time he has been involved in such a situation.
