4 soldiers dismissed over rape allegations in Mabaruma

– others to face disciplinary action

Four ranks attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who were accused of raping a female in Mabaruma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) were dismissed following the completion of a Board of Inquiry (BoI) that was established to investigate the allegation. In addition, the others who were implicated are facing disciplinary action.
This was revealed by the GDF in a release to the media on Thursday.
“The Board of Inquiry convened to investigate the circumstances which led to an allegation of rape being levelled against Guyana Defence Force ranks in Mabaruma, Region One, has led to disciplinary actions taken against two officers and four other ranks,” the statement said.
Further, it was stated that the BoI found that the ranks breached operational orders while deployed on border duty. “Four of these ranks have since been dismissed and the disciplinary process is ongoing against the others,” the GDF added.
The Force also stated that three of the dismissed soldiers were charged and appeared in court in relation to the rape allegation. Further action against the fourth, however, is awaiting the recommendation of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force are bound by the values and standards of the Force, and, as such, their conduct and professionalism are of paramount importance. The defence and security of the nation and our citizens are tasks which the Force will always aim to execute with the highest moral, ethical and professional standards,” the GDF reiterated.
The allegation of rape was reported in February. While the details surrounding the incident are not available, the GDF had stated that the five accused ranks were being interrogated by the Police.
Back in October 2018, two soldiers – Rawlston Reid, 22, of Dochfour Housing Scheme and Isaiah Rawlins, 21, of Wisroc, Linden – allegedly raped a 26-year-old female in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
It was reported that on October 13, 2018, the two soldiers, who were placed on $300,000 bail each when they appeared in court, had forceful sex with the woman.
The woman was at the time with her boyfriend at a community centre ground eating chips when they were approached by the soldiers, who were known to them.
The couple were ordered to have sex for the soldiers to see and when they refused, they were beaten and robbed. The woman’s boyfriend was forced to watch the entire ordeal before they stripped him of his gold chains worth $180,000.
The men have since been dismissed from the military.