AFC internal probe blames ‘misunderstanding’ for corruption allegations

The AFC said its investigations into allegations of financial and administrative irregularities between two of its leading members found that the situation was due to misunderstanding and miscommunication and the matter has now been resolved.

Region Six Councillor Haseef Yusuf, in a letter to the editor followed by several outcries to the media, had accused Dr Veerasammy Ramayya of “corrupt and fraudulent practices,” saying that he tried to solicit funds from supporters to recover $4.5 million that he claimed he spent during the elections campaign; an amount Yusuf said he did not believe Ramayya spent from his personal coffers.

An internal probe sanctioned by the party’s leader Khemraj Ramjattan and conducted by General Secretary Sixtus Edwards and Execu-tive Member Dr Sewnauth Punalall resulted in recommendations to have the matter amicably resolved, which was completed on Saturday.

In a press release the AFC said that its investigations “revealed that the differences were fuelled by misunderstanding and miscommunication.” “A genuine desire by both parties to bring closure to this matter combined with astute leadership that encourages a climate of brotherhood within the party contributed in a significant way to the amicable closure of this matter,” it added.

The AFC executive urged its members to be tolerant and respectful of others and not to allow differences to “disintegrate into ugly personal hostilities and antagonism” damaging the party’s image. It also acknowledged that as in any growing organization there will be disagreements between forceful characters and as such members should be more charitable towards each other.

A senior AFC member had told Stabroek News that Ramayya had made no claim for a refund.

The source said it was known by the party that Ramayya had indeed spent millions of dollars of his own money and so did many other members of the party.

Yusuf had also claimed that there were attempts to cheat him out of a Regional Manage-ment Committee position as he was never made aware of the elections date.