The Mauritius Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) has reported the seizure of ill-got assets worth Rs 160 million (approximately $3.4 million) and the arrest of 26 suspects between December 10, 2025, and the end of March 2026. The actions followed at least 70 raids and searches, with 108 cases brought before judicial authorities and 824 complaints recorded. The crackdown targets financial crimes linked to drug trafficking, corruption, fraud, and money laundering, in line with findings from the 2025 National Risk Assessment. Authorities also confirmed that 608 vehicles valued at Rs 444.4 million (around $9.5 million) have been placed under judicial sequestration, with additional assets seized in ongoing investigations. The FCC stated that these measures are part of preparations for the 2027 Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group evaluation.

Government outlines recovery plan for Mauritius Post Limited

The Mauritius Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation Avinash Ramtohul has acknowledged the financial challenges facing Mauritius Post Limited (MPL), noting that several post offices are operating at a loss. Responding to a parliamentary question, the minister said an internal audit identified structural issues affecting profitability. MPL has since launched a recovery plan focused on revising its business model, diversifying revenue streams, restructuring human resources, and improving operational efficiency. While closures of unprofitable branches were initially considered, the company is now exploring ways to repurpose them to maintain service delivery while improving financial sustainability.

Police finance unit faces staffing shortages

The Finance and Revenue section of the Mauritius Police Force is currently understaffed , with only 48 officers in place out of a required 62. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam informed the National Assembly that the most significant gap is at the level of Assistant Financial Operations Officers, where 14 positions remain vacant. To address the shortfall, 13 police officers have been temporarily reassigned to support operations. The shortage reflects a wider issue across the civil service, with 94 vacancies recorded nationwide in this category as of May 2025. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, though delayed pending examinations by the Public Service Commission.

National History Museum to undergo full renovation after closure

The National History Museum in Mahébourg, south-eastern Mauritius, remains closed after shutting down in December 2025 due to severe roof deterioration that caused water damage. Minister of Arts and Culture Mahen Gondeea stated that earlier temporary repairs proved ineffective, leading to further structural damage. All artefacts have since been relocated to other institutions for preservation. Authorities have now opted for a comprehensive renovation, including roof replacement and structural rehabilitation, rather than limited repairs. The project is currently in the budget assessment phase, with construction expected to take about one year once procurement processes are completed. The redesign will be supported by the French government under a heritage cooperation agreement.

Mauritius advances plans for national athletics excellence centre

Mauritius is moving forward with plans to establish a National Athletics Excellence Centre in Côte d'Or, with British coach Stephen Maguire set to lead the initiative. Minister of Youth and Sports Deven Nagalingum said the project aims to build a high-performance environment for local athletes to compete internationally. Discussions between stakeholders highlighted the importance of structured training, quality coaching, and modern infrastructure. Maguire expressed readiness to begin work and develop the athlete's potential, while Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Limited confirmed that preparations have been ongoing for over a year. The centre is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of Mauritian athletics.

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Attorney General Mohamed Shawky said an extensive inventory uncovered 265 kilograms of gold, two tonnes of silver, and other precious metals that had accumulated across various investigative bodies, including the Weights and Measures Authority and the Mineral Resources Authority. Many of the items date back to the late 1990s.

Following an assessment, the Public Prosecution recommended converting the seized gold into bullion and handing it to the Central Bank to strengthen Egypt’s strategic reserves. The Cabinet approved the proposal, enabling technical teams to melt and refine the seized items into high-quality bars.

The bullion, worth an estimated $34 million, was formally handed over this week during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the Governor of the Central Bank Hassan Abdullah, and Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk. The Central Bank also received around $44 million in frozen financial assets, while 99,000 seized vehicles are set to be auctioned in line with court rulings.

Officials say the, amongst others, also follows months of clearing long-dormant evidence stores and unclaimed items.

Shawky described the operation as an example of “institutional integration and responsible management of public funds ,” adding that transforming stagnant assets into national reserves supports currency stability and economic resilience 

The Public Prosecution says it plans to continue similar asset conversion to modernise case management, clear backlogs and speed up judicial processes.

According to the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE), more than 200 specialised agents, backed by canine units, carried out searches through cells and hidden compartments, seizing mobile phones, SIM cards, improvised weapons, and drugs.

“This extraordinary search was ordered by the President of the Republic to combat crime , particularly organised contract killings that often originate from inside prisons,” said INPE president Ivan Paredes Yataco, who accompanied Jeri during the inspection.

The raids mark the first step in Jeri’s declared “war on crime,” a promise he made immediately after being sworn in following the impeachment of Dina Boluarte. Under Peru’s Constitution, the President of Congress assumes power in the absence of a vice-president. Jeri will serve as interim head of state until new elections are scheduled for April 2026.

Analysts say his administration faces the urgent challenge of restoring public trust in national security institutions after years of political instability and rising violence.

Holness had raised the issue at the closing press conference of the 49th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, citing the delay in implementation despite the EU Commission’s earlier recommendation in June. He criticised the European Parliament’s internal political divisions that had stalled the delisting, stressing that the delay was unfair to small developing nations that had met the required reforms “through great sacrifice, discomfort, and the cost to the people .”

Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith also hailed the EU’s decision as a step in the right direction for the country. In a virtual address to the European Parliament, she said, “We cannot overstate the significance of this decision... it is a clear indication of the Parliament’s willingness to respond positively to the needs and interests of small, vulnerable economies like Jamaica’s.”

Johnson Smith later emphasized that the outcome followed “joint and separate sustained advocacy” from both Jamaica and Barbados. “This is yet another signal of broad-based trust in our systems,” she said, noting that the move builds on Jamaica’s earlier removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list in 2023.

The removal from the EU’s list is expected to improve the financial reputations of both nations, easing international banking transactions and encouraging investment, especially across CARICOM economies. Holness concluded, “It may not materialise tomorrow that you will have an easier banking system, but over time, it will.”