Sources closed to the GNN has revealed that an envoy of the South African Police Force is reportedly in the country to ascertain the facts that actually led to the seizure of two South African investors’ passports by authority of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and a reported request of US$5,000.00 before they can be granted access for possible investment in Liberia is said to be finding it difficult to have audience with the Liberian leader.
The GNN in the latter part of August, 2021 reported that the head of the Special Presidential Projects Coordinators at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Makenneh L. Keita reportedly demanded US$5 Million from two South African investors to do business in Liberia following a meeting between she and the two South African Investors, Mike Anthony Brummer and Gerhard Jacob Dirksen of Imperial Investment Ltd of South Africa.
This allegation prompted the Liberian President George Manneh Weah, ten days later to suspend Madam Makenneh L. Keita, Presidential Special Projects Coordinator, according to an Executive Mansion official page, Madam Keita was suspended on Monday August 23, 2021, for allegedly soliciting Five Million United States Dollars (US$5M0 from a business man who was exploring investment opportunities.
The Executive Mansion press release also said Madam Makenneh Keita was asked to report to the office of the legal Advisor to the President, Archibald Bernard for investigation, and further warned would-be investors to work directly with the National Investment Commission (NIC) if they desire to invest in the country, the Executive Mansion page said. Since the Liberian leader turned Madam Keita over to the legal Advisor for investigation, the findings of said report are yet to be made public.
GNN investigation further availed that as a result of Minister McGill’s refusal to meeting the South African official, there has reportedly been what the source described as a ‘Bad blood’ between the Liberian leader and his Minister of State over the past weeks. GNN staff is doing all to getting the facts surrounding the arrival of this South African official to Liberia.
But according to GNN source, following the arrival of the South African official in Liberia to have a chat with President Weah on this issue, our source said, he was referred to the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel Falo NcGill, a request which was reportedly turned down by the Minister, while the visitor, according to our source could not comprehend why this Liberian government official has refused to have an audience with him.
As a result of the alleged humiliation by the LIS of the two South African investors to Liberia including the seizure of their respective passports, it is reported that the legal team of the two South African investors is doing all to further investigation that led their clients to be humiliated while visiting Liberia for investment possibility.
Effort by the GNN to contact Minister McGill via text messages and phone calls did not materialize, also a text message was sent to the Minister of Information, Legerhood Rannie to verify the report before going public.
Investigation continues.
