Ramadan Food Basket Scandal Delays Ruling for Moroccan Mayor
Allegations of corruption and bribery have stalled the legal proceedings against the mayor of Ben Guerir, Morocco, and her deputy. The case, now adjourned until October 8th, 2024, centers around the alleged manipulation of a Ramadan food basket program intended to support vulnerable communities.
The Marrakesh Administrative Court granted the delay to allow the defense team more time to respond to the accusations brought forth by the regional governor of Rhamna province. The governor, acting on behalf of the Moroccan government, is seeking the removal of both the mayor and her deputy from office.
At the heart of the controversy is the “Ramadan Basket” initiative, a program designed to provide essential food items to families in need during the holy month of Ramadan. The governor’s case hinges on a report from the General Inspectorate of Territorial Administration (IGAT), which allegedly uncovered serious legal violations committed by the mayor and her deputy in relation to the program.
Adding fuel to the fire, four members of the Ben Guerir city council filed a separate complaint with the King’s Prosecutor General at the Marrakech Court of Appeal. They allege that the contents of the Ramadan baskets were swapped for lower-quality goods, directly contradicting the terms of the original contract.
The council members are demanding a thorough investigation into these irregularities, particularly as the contract value exceeded 69 million centimes (approximately $7,000 USD). They claim to possess technical documents and evidence demonstrating the discrepancy in quality between the promised and delivered goods.
According to the official specifications, each Ramadan basket should have contained a specific list of high-quality foodstuffs, including flour, lentils, chickpeas, dates, sugar, oil, tea, and concentrated tomato paste. However, the council members allege that the mayor approved a request from the winning company to substitute these items with inferior alternatives, raising serious concerns about potential corruption and bribery.
Adding another layer of complexity, the distribution of the baskets themselves has come under scrutiny. Of the 30 council members, 22 were tasked with selecting beneficiaries and distributing the baskets within their constituencies. These council members reportedly received between 50 and 260 baskets each, while the mayor herself allegedly distributed 365 baskets.
This case has sparked widespread debate about transparency and accountability within local government. The outcome of the upcoming court hearing on October 8th will have significant implications for the mayor, her deputy, and the future of the Ben Guerir community.
