Buckling under pressure, President Donald Ramotar yesterday fired Dr Bheri Ramsaran as Minister of Health more than a week after a recording emerged of him verbally abusing activist Sherlina Nageer who yesterday labelled the sacking an “elections time gimmick”.
Nageer yesterday called for similar action be taken against Attorney-General Anil Nandlall.
President Ramotar had come under tremendous pressure following Ramsaran’s abusive remarks in which he threatened to have Nageer stripped and slapped and called her a “piece of shit.” Numerous local organisations as well as the representatives of the US, Britain and Canada—all publicly condemned the former minister’s remarks. The pressure began to mount after a recording of the exchange began circulating and Ramsaran issued an apology in which he claimed to have been provoked into anger and uttering harsh words which he regretted. However, the next day, the minister was recorded calling Nageer a “miscreant,” accusing her of spitting on him and saying she was in need of psychiatric help. He was speaking to Regional Health Officers.
“Minister Bheri Ramsaran has since been relieved of his Ministerial duties following a meeting with the President. The President reiterates his outrage at the verbal outbursts and insults uttered by the Minister recently,” a statement from Office of the President said yesterday revealing that
