Modified Board Minutes of the BoM on November 13 and 20, 2024
Title: Modified Board Minutes of the BoM on November 13 and 20, 2024
Content: Documents reviewed by our editorial team indicate that several Board Minutes of the Bank of Mauritius for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 may have been altered. Most of these modifications would have occurred on November 13, 2024, as well as on November 20, 2024. It is important to note that the software used automatically records metadata, including modification dates and times.
"During a standard consultation, no alterations are visible. However, any modification leaves a digital footprint," it was stated. Some are questioning whether someone internally modified these Board Minutes. Were these changes intended to erase sensitive elements related to the previous management? A well-informed source emphasizes that once validated, a board meeting record should not be altered. "Any subsequent alteration can raise questions about governance and the integrity of official records," she stated. The matter could gain traction if an internal investigation were to confirm these modifications and establish their reasons.
Some modified documents:
BM 551 – 7 May 20 - Modified date: 20/11/2024: 14:36
BM 552 - 19 May 20 - Modified date: 20/11/2024: 14:36
BM 561 – 15 Jan 21 - Modified date: 20/11/2024: 14:32
BM 562 – 3 March 21 - Modified date: 20/11/2024: 14:33
BM 573 – 4 Feb 2022 – Modified date: 13/11/2024: 17:44
BM 574 – 22 Feb 2022 – Modified date: 13/11/2024: 17:45
BM 582 – 13 Feb 2023 - Modified date: 13/11/2024: 16:59
BM 583 – 28 Feb 2023 - Modified date: 13/11/2024: 17:04
BM 591 – 13 Feb 2024 – Modified date: 13/11/2024: 17:11
BM 592 – 18 March 2024 - Modified date: 13/11/2024: 17:10
BM 593 – 16 May 2024 - Modified date: 13/11/2024: 17:09
BM 596 – 9 Oct 2024 – Modified date: 13/11/2024 17:09
The BoM denies any payment of Rs 500,000
In a statement issued Thursday evening, the Bank of Mauritius categorically rejected these accusations, stating they are false and malicious, and clarified that no payment of Rs 500,000 or cumulative payments amounting to Rs 500,000 have been made to an external legal advisor by the current management. This morning, at the Défi Media Group, the Governor, Rama Sithanen, said it is "false, completely false," but declined to comment further on the matter or other issues, claiming he has already said everything during the Info Soirée broadcast on Radio Plus on September 5.
Editorial note: Such a payment would have been made through the Bank of Mauritius, according to our sources. It would be wise to check if this payment was made by the Mauritius Investment Corporation?
Canteen of the Bank of Mauritius
Document submissions that raise questions
On February 13, 2025, the Bank of Mauritius officially launched a tender to recruit a provider to supply canteen services at its premises in Port-Louis. Interested bidders were invited to attend an information meeting scheduled for February 24 and to submit their offers by March 5, 2025. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that in a communication dated February 21, 2025, Tevin Sithanen allegedly sent a 13-page brochure to Gérard Sanspeur related to a company potentially interested in this contract, which was referred to him by a friend. Another document, a presentation regarding a chef, was also sent to Gérard Sanspeur by Tevin Sithanen on March 15, 2025.
According to some sources, Tevin Sithanen allegedly leveraged his influence to ensure this chef was selected to sit on the selection panel for recruiting the service provider for the BoM's canteen. It is also mentioned that this chef's son applied for the position of communication director at the Bank of Mauritius and was strongly recommended by Tevin Sithanen, supported by exchanges of messages/emails.
According to our information, Gérard Sanspeur opposed this company obtaining the contract. The file was then removed from him and entrusted to the first deputy governor, Rajeev Hasnah. In any case, the company ultimately received the coveted contract. The Défi Media Group has contacted the Bank of Mauritius for further information and will share the central bank's version as soon as it is available.
Questions sent to the BoM
The Défi Media Group sent several questions (see below) to the Bank of Mauritius regarding these modifications. By the time we went to print, we had not yet received a response from the central bank. We commit to publishing it as soon as the editorial team receives it.
- Is the Bank of Mauritius aware of these modifications?
- Were these modifications to the Board Minutes made before or after the installation of the new management team at the BoM?
- Why were these Board Minutes modified?
- Is this not a violation of banking law?
- Has the Bank of Mauritius filed a complaint regarding this?
- Who has access to the secure software?
- What exactly was modified? And by whom?
Good to know
On September 3, Gérard Sanspeur, former Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, filed a complaint with the Financial Crimes Commission. He provided information and submitted documents as evidence regarding alleged irregularities in the handling of certain files of the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC). Among the submitted documents are the Minutes of Proceedings of the Board of the Bank of Mauritius concerning certain MIC files. According to him, the minutes may have been manipulated. He also reported an intervention by an "external person" who attempted to influence him.
