NIWEINER GATE GUYANA EDITION

And receiving a "standing" ovation for his bare performance on the WhatsApp stage is Guyana's very own "Niweiner!" It seems as though no lessons were learned from former US Representative and now convicted sex offender, Anthony Weiner. Weiner, one may recall, gained notoriety for exposing his genitalia in texts to a female.

"Niweiner" gate Guyana, first surfaced several weeks ago, following a Face Book post by a Shanaz Hussain. The post alleges that a Guyana government minister is an online predator and uses his Face Book to prey on young females. Seemingly describing her own experience, the detailed description, states that the minister first makes contact on Face Book, then gravitates to WhatsApp where he then makes overtures to meet in person. Allegations are that the minister sends photographs of himself in bed and of his genitalia. Further, claims state that he explicitly describes the sexual activities in which he wishes to engage.

Ms. Hussain added that evidence of the minister in question's behaviour has been sent to various people for safekeeping.

No one knows who spilled the proverbial beans but a couple of days ago, clear screenshots, allegedly of the minister and his genitalia, along with salacious comments attributed to him began to make the social media rounds. Perhaps the minister may claim that it is not him. It could be a doppelganger or a clone who knows? He may also assert that his phone was hacked. A guru in the IT Department at my workplace explained that modern technology and digital footprints make it easy to trace phone text messages to verify their source. So either way, if there is ever an investigation, the authenticity of the origins of said images will be proven one way or another.

Unfortunately, these are not the first allegations of impropriety. A few years ago, there were allegations of misconduct involving young women in the hinterland. Not surprisingly, as is the common occurrence in these types of cases, none of the girls and women ever came forward or spoke out against it.

The climate in Guyana is apparently one where disrespect and abuse of women is fostered. Last February, during the budget debates in parliament, Minister of Local Government Dharamlall crassly told opposition member Natasha Singh Lewis that he had a dildo for her. To date, not a single member of the government, not even the female government ministers or President Ali have condemned Dharamlall's unsavoury action.

It remains a mystery how apparently that sat well with the government. Now it seems as though the chicken or rather the dildo has come home to roost.

Since there is yet another allegation and actual evidence, will there be any kind of investigation to ascertain the veracity of same? Whether the PPP government will take steps to curb its loose cannon, is anyone's guess. However, I am not holding my breath that President Ali will do anything. Some are more equal than others on the animal farm of "a stink and dutty One Guyana" where acts of moral turpitude have become the norm.

Open season on women by men in positions of authority in Guyana is age old. Former PNC Deputy Prime Minister Robert Corbin was accused of raping Ms. Hanomansingh in his office. Then President Hoyte had sent Corbin on leave pending the outcome of an investigation. No charges were ever laid against Corbin and he resumed duties. Also, there was an advisor to President Burnham called "teddy bear" who too had a widely known reputation for molesting female subordinates.

Along with the foregoing, there is also a recent incident involving the trespass to the person of a female police rank by a practising attorney.

It is alleged that attorney Nirvan Singh whose father Carl Singh was a former Chancellor of the Judiciary, hurled racist slurs and spat on the police rank who was at the time on guard at their premises. A letter of pre-action protocol signed by legal representative Eusi Anderson and addressed to Singh, outlined the racial slur and trespass to the person of WC Shawnette Bollers. The letter states that Bollers was among other insults called a "black monkey" and told that "black people have no purpose in life." Bollers has instructed her attorney to file suit on her behalf.

Under the Laws of Guyana, the Legal Practitioners Act Cap 4:01, governs the conduct of practising attorneys. Among other things, the Guyana Bar Association's role is to investigate reports of complaints of breaches of the code of conduct. One can only hope that WC Bollers also exercises her right to lodge a formal complaint detailing the attorney's conduct with that association, so that there could be an investigation into Singh's alleged lack of decorum and racist behaviour. If Singh is found guilty of the allegations he should be struck off the register. But it is Guyana and that is no big thing.

At least in the US, the weight of public opinion forced Weiner to resign from Congress. In Guyana that is unlikely to happen.