“Corruption Has Two Players”: The Briber and the Bribee – AG Nandlall
By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has issued a blunt call to action for Guyanese motorists: stop paying bribes and start recording. Speaking on his weekly program, Issues in the News, the Attorney General revealed that the government has been inundated with “serious” and “numerous” complaints regarding traffic ranks allegedly pressuring drivers for cash during roadside stops.
Nandlall warned that this systemic corruption is eroding public confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and creating a culture where citizens feel forced to pay for their freedom from “inconvenience.”
Know Your Rights: Tickets vs. Detention
The Attorney General moved to clear up widespread misconceptions about police powers during traffic stops, emphasizing that most offenses do not justify an arrest.
- Lawful Response: Nandlall reminded the public that for the majority of traffic infractions, the lawful procedure is the issuance of a ticket, not roadside negotiation or detention at a station.
- Illegal Detention: “He cannot lock you up for a [minor] traffic offense,” Nandlall stated, advising motorists that those wrongfully held over traffic matters may have grounds for legal action against the state.
- The Legislative Shift: The government is currently expanding the list of “ticketable” offenses to minimize face-to-face friction between ranks and drivers, thereby limiting the “opportunities for abuse.”
The “Two Players” Rule
While slamming corrupt officers, the Attorney General placed a significant portion of the responsibility on the motoring public.
- The Briber and the Bribee: “Corruption has two players… it can’t take place unless the two actors act,” he noted. He acknowledged that many drivers pay to avoid delays but warned that this only feeds the cycle of extortion.
- Gathering Evidence: In a modern twist on police oversight, Nandlall urged citizens to use their smartphones as shields. “If a bribe is asked of you, you have a cell phone—take the man’s photograph and make it public,” he suggested.
A Future Crackdown
The Attorney General indicated that this issue has reached a tipping point and will be the subject of a more comprehensive policy discussion in the near future. His remarks underscore a growing tension between the administration’s push for a modernized, professional police force and the “old-school” extortion tactics reportedly still prevalent on Guyana’s roadways. As the government prepares to move more offenses to the ticketing system, the message to motorists is clear: the power to end the “bribe system” starts with the person behind the wheel.
