Region 9 rape investigations still ongoing

The investigations into a rape allegation in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are said to still be ongoing, weeks after the report was made. The particulars of the case state the Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) of Region Nine had allegedly sexually assaulted a senior official attached to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
Since the allegation surfaced a few weeks ago, authorities have been quiet on the issue since the report was allegedly made at the Lethem Police Station. The Regional Chairman was first to speak out on the issue after the victim lodged her report.
In a telephone interview with Guyana times, Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock stated that he has not heard anything further on the investigation since the initial complaint. However, he assured that the matter is with the Police.
It was alleged that Sherwin Wellington, the region’s DREO, had raped one of his female colleagues while they were on a business trip to a Region Nine community. They had travelled to the village of Karasabai on behalf of the RDC to be a part of an outreach programme.
Wellington had subsequently denied knowledge of any event of the sort, also noting that he had never been informed of a report being made against him.
“We don’t know about that. No, I am not aware of that. If someone makes an allegation, it has to be reported to the station. There’s a procedure. I’m not aware of a report being made, and (I’m not aware of) the incident. If anything, the Police would have called me; they have not called me,” the man had said.
This is the second time that such an allegation has risen out of the region. In 2016, then Regional Executive Officer, Carl Parker was accused of raping a female colleague who was serving on the Regional Democratic Council.