Controversial Management - MASA: Hidden Reports and Rs 95 Million Not Distributed

In a press conference held on Friday, re-elected board member of the Mauritius Society of Authors (MASA), Jonathan Bécherel, confirmed that he was the only member to have filed a complaint with the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) regarding the financial management of the organization.

"This re-elected member is me, right here before you!" he stated at the outset, in response to a news article published on October 27. Jonathan Bécherel clarified that his actions were not politically motivated: "That is completely false. On the contrary, we thank the government and the Minister of Arts and Culture."

Rs 95 Million Not Distributed

According to Bécherel, the current president of MASA, Richard Hein, discovered Rs 95 million accumulated in the organization's accounts, with no distribution to local or foreign artists. "MASA itself does not know exactly who this money belongs to. Let's leave it to the FCC to determine why it has not been distributed," he added.

He also mentioned discovering two reports from the National Audit Office (NAO) and another from the Office of the Public Sector Governance (OPSG) that had allegedly been kept confidential for three years. These documents reportedly highlighted mismanagement and poor allocation of funds within MASA.

He stated that he had sought explanations in the board meeting before approaching the FCC but received no response. "I have faced intense pressure not to reveal this scandal," he claimed.

Internal Tensions

The artist condemned the presence of an "invisible group of conspirators," which he accuses of currently controlling MASA. This internal network, according to him, "penalizes artists and leaks confidential information to the press."

He also commented on the tensions surrounding President Hein: "The administration of MASA is opposed to the new president because he exposed the Rs 95 million not distributed and revealed the hidden reports."

Regarding the director of MASA, Gérard Louise, Bécherel took a measured tone: "I do not make any direct accusations. I do not want to harm his reputation." However, he urged the latter to fully collaborate with the president to modernize MASA and restore artists' trust.

Call to the Government

Jonathan Bécherel called on the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mahendra Gondeea, to support ongoing reforms and maintain his trust in President Richard Hein: "I urge the government not to revoke Richard Hein, or else the artists will lose all hope." He concluded his remarks by thanking artists for their support and acknowledging his past mistakes: "I apologize to the artistic community — I have made mistakes towards you."

Reaction from Gérard Louise

When contacted for a response, MASA's director, Gérard Louise, declined to comment, stating only that the documents related to this matter had been forwarded to the FCC this week.