These are family members and political loyalists who have secured prestigious appointments within the public service. Positioned in roles of significant power, influence, or within systems of patronage, they function as critical components in the operation of the political machinery. An estimated 90% of public service recruitments appear to have been influenced by favoritism or connections to the Jugnauth clan since 2015.
1. Nayen Koomar Ballah:
Appointed Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet in 2016, Ballah is the cousin of Sarojini Jugnauth, wife of former Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth. In March, he was awarded the Grand Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GOSK).
2. Naila Hanoomanjee:
Daughter of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Maya Hanoomanjee, and niece of Sarojini Jugnauth, Naila was appointed CEO of Landscope Mauritius after heading its predecessor, SPDC.
3. Rita Veerasamy:
Sister of former Finance Minister Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo, she became Director of the State Investment Corporation in 2015 and retired in 2018 following a cabinet reshuffle.
4. Jugdish Bundoo:
CEO of the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority since 2015, Bundoo is the brother-in-law of Agro-Industry Minister Mahen Seeruttun.
5. Mike Seetaramadoo:
Executive Vice President at Air Mauritius and affiliated with the MSM party, Seetaramadoo previously oversaw HR and now manages cargo operations.
6. Maya Hanoomanjee:
Cousin of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and former MSM member, she was appointed Speaker of the National Assembly despite not being elected in 2014.
7. Shiv Luchoomun:
Director of the Private Secondary Schools Authority and husband of Education Minister Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, he remained in his role despite potential conflicts of interest.
8. Prakash Maunthrooa:
Senior Adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maunthrooa has also been implicated in corruption allegations in the Boskalis case.
9. Soorya Gayan:
Wife of Tourism Minister Anil Gayan, she was reappointed Director of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in 2015.
10. Harrykrishna Vydelingum:
Appointed President of the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development in 2018, he is the brother-in-law of Technology Minister Yogida Sawmynaden.
Other Influential Appointments
Several others, including spouses, children, and relatives of ministers and politicians, have been appointed to significant roles or have benefited from state contracts. This includes:- Tourism Authority: Raj Bhujohory, married to a relative of Minister Anil Gayan, serves as Chairman.
- Competition Commission: Deshmuk Kowlessur, brother-in-law of the Prime Minister's wife's brother, was named Executive Director in 2015.
- State Bank of Mauritius: Amrit Gayan, son of Tourism Minister Anil Gayan, heads innovation.
Contractual Beneficiaries
Some family members and political affiliates were granted lucrative contracts:- Wenda Sawminanden: Married to Minister Sawmynaden, she handled the sale of Apollo Bramwell Hospital and processed NHDC housing contracts.
- Keep Clean Ltd: Managed by the Rughoobur family, this company was awarded a contract worth Rs 23 million.
Other family-related appointments that undermined the government’s commitment to progressive governance:
Harrykrishna Vydelingum: President of MITD
Harrykrishna Vydelingum, brother-in-law of Minister of Technology Yogida Sawmynaden, was appointed to the board of the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust in June 2016 and later to the board of Mauritius Post Ltd in January 2017. However, following public controversy, he resigned shortly after. In March 2018, Vydelingum was named President of the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD), which operates under the Ministry of Education.
Raj Bhujohory: Chairman, Tourism Authority
Raj Bhujohory, married to a cousin of Tourism Minister Anil Gayan, was appointed chairperson of the Tourism Authority, an entity operating under the Ministry of Tourism.
Deshmuk Kowlessur: Executive Director, Competition Commission
Deshmuk Kowlessur, brother-in-law of Sanjeev Ramdenee (himself related to Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth’s wife), was appointed Executive Director of the Competition Commission of Mauritius in February 2015. His wife, Sharmila Kowlessur, became Chairperson of the Mauritius Qualifications Authority in July 2015.
Kevin Ramkalaon: Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
Kevin Ramkalaon, son-in-law of Tourism Minister Anil Gayan, was named Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority after the government took office in August 2015. He later resigned to join Business Mauritius.
Robin Appaya: Chairman, Independent Broadcasting Authority
Robin Appaya, a former MSM campaign manager, was appointed Chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. He is married to Anju Ghose, niece of Speaker Maya Hanoomanjee.
Namrata Teeluckdharry: National Human Rights Commission
Namrata Teeluckdharry, wife of Deputy Speaker Sanjeev Teeluckdharry, was appointed to the National Preventive Mechanism Division of the National Human Rights Commission in February 2018.
Jaynarain Meetoo: Chairman, Mahatma Gandhi Institute
Jaynarain Meetoo, husband of MSM activist Rooma Meetoo, was named Chairman of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI).
Avinash Meetoo: Chairman, ICT Advisory Council
Avinash Meetoo, son of Rooma Meetoo, became Chairman of the ICT Advisory Council and was also appointed to the board of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA).
Keshaye Beeda: Oyster Farming
Keshaye Beeda, nephew of Minister of Ocean Economy Prem Koonjoo, received a license for oyster farming under a government initiative to promote aquaculture.
Amrit Gayan: Head of Innovation, State Bank of Mauritius
Amrit Gayan, son of Tourism Minister Anil Gayan, was named Head of Innovation at the State Bank of Mauritius in December 2015.
Pravin Jhugroo: Director, Sugar Investment Trust
Pravin Jhugroo, cousin of Minister Mahen Jhugroo, was appointed Director of the Sugar Investment Trust in February 2016.
Geetesh Kumar Gungah & Miteej Ballah: FSPA Appointments
Geetesh Kumar Gungah, son of Minister Ashit Gungah, and Miteej Ballah, daughter-in-law of civil service head Nayen Koomar Ballah, received senior positions at the Financial Services Promotion Agency (FSPA).
Other Appointments and Contracts
The list also includes numerous other politically connected appointees, highlighting how familial ties often intersect with governance and public appointments in Mauritius. This extends to contracts awarded to relatives and allies, further raising questions about transparency and institutional independence.