Mauritius is facing one of the most troubling periods in its recent history. Over the past months, our once peaceful island has witnessed a disturbing surge in violence and crime — burglaries targeting the elderly, brutal murders, kidnappings, school bullying, assaults on public transport, violence against tourists, and even riots behind prison walls. The rot is both physical and institutional.
There was a time, not so long ago, when Mauritians prided themselves on living in harmony. Two decades ago, a single crime would send shockwaves across the country. People could stroll home late at night without fear. Today, fear has taken root — not just among citizens, but even among those meant to protect them. In some areas, police officers themselves hesitate to intervene, intimidated by the growing audacity of criminals.
How did we getthere?
Yes, the drug crisis has torn through our communities, destroying lives and futures — with synthetic drugs now poisoning even our schoolyards. But the truth is deeper. The crisis goes beyond drugs. It is a crisis of values, of parenting, of leadership, of national conscience.
Our children grow up surrounded by violence — in movies, on social media, in the news. Too often, both parents work long hours, and family time — that sacred moment when values are taught and love is shared — disappears. Grandparents, once the moral anchors of the household, are no longer part of daily life. We speak less, listen less, care less. And into that silence creeps anger, addiction, and despair.
Alcohol flows freely in public spaces. Screens replace conversations. And when we look around for protection, we see a police force stretched thin, undertrained, and undermanned. Patrolling has become rare, and public confidence in the police has eroded.
This cannot continue. Mauritius is better than this.
We must rise as one nation to reclaim our peace, our dignity, and our future. This is not the job of government alone — it is the duty of every citizen who still believes in this country.
Democracy Watch calls for action — bold, practical, and immediate.
We propose theurgent strengthening OR as necessary the setting up of thefollowing practical measures:
1. Strengthen Law Enforcement and Justice
- Community Policing: Create stronger bonds between police and the public by assigning officers to neighbourhoods they patrol regularly. When police know their communities, trust grows, and crime drops.
- 24/7 Police Hotlines and Rapid-Response Units: Set up properly resourced units that respond swiftly to emergencies, particularly in high-risk areas.
- Better Police Training: Include modules on handling youth crime, gender-based violence, and conflict de-escalation. Recruit more women into the force — communities respond better to diverse, empathetic policing.
- Body Cameras & Accountability Systems: Introduce technology that ensures transparency and builds public confidence in the police.
- Faster Judicial Process: Set up special fast-track courts for violent crime and drug-related offences to ensure justice is swift and deterrence is strong.
2. Rebuild Families and Community Values
- National Parenting Programme: Organise workshops and awareness campaigns to help parents reconnect with their children, manage digital use, and instil respect and discipline.
- Neighbourhood Watch Groups: Encourage local residents to cooperate with police and monitor suspicious activity. Many countries have successfully revived community vigilance to prevent burglaries and petty crime.
- Mentorship Networks: Pair at-risk youth with positive role models — retired professionals, teachers, or community leaders — to guide and support them.
- Encourage Extended Family Support: Incentivise multigenerational living or community centres where grandparents can pass on values, stories, and culture.
3. Tackle the Drug and Alcohol Crisis
- Mandatory Drug Education in Schools: Go beyond awareness — include sessions on emotional intelligence, peer pressure, and decision-making.
- Community Rehabilitation Centres: Make treatment more accessible, especially for young addicts, with free counselling and reintegration programmes.
- Crack Down on Drugs at Source: Strengthen border and port surveillance and invest in advanced detection technology.
- Regulate Alcohol Sales More Firmly: Limit the number of alcohol outlets near schools, bus stations, and public beaches;apply fully the existing restrict sale hoursrestrictions; enforce penalties for selling to minors.
4. Reform Education and Youth Engagement
- Civic and Moral Education:Review the existing civic and moral education curricula and make them compulsory and interactive — debates, community service projects, and reflection sessions can teach responsibility better than lectures.
- National Volunteer Programme for Students: Every secondary school student could complete a few hours of community service each term. It builds empathy and civic pride.
- After-School Clubs and Sports Programmes: Keep children engaged, supervised, and inspired during critical after-school hours when delinquency often begins.
- Technology Detox Initiatives: Encourage schools and families to introduce “screen-free hours” or tech-free zones to restore communication and attention.
5. Restore Public Spaces and Civic Responsibility
- Better Street Lighting & CCTV Surveillance: Crime thrives in darkness. A visible, monitored environment deters violence.
- Urban Clean-Up and Beautification Campaigns: When communities take pride in their surroundings, crime rates drop
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Use media, influencers, and schools to promote messages like “Respect life. Respect others. Respect your country.”
- Corporate Partnerships: Encourage private companies to sponsor youth programmes, drug awareness campaigns, and neighbourhood safety initiatives.
- Empower Local Councils: Give them resources to organise community events that strengthen social cohesion.
Mauritius has always been more than just a tropical paradise. It is a country built on respect, solidarity, and tolerance. But today, these values are under siege. Restoring law and order is not merely a question of policing — it is about reviving the moral compass of an entire nation.
Each of us has a role to play — as parents, educators, leaders, citizens. The time for complacency is over. Let us reclaim our streets, protect our children, and rebuild a Mauritius where peace is not a memory, but a way of life once again.
