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UPDATE: New DPP Wayne Rajbansie arrives in the Virgin Islands

Wayne Rajbansie, the VI's new Director of Public Prosecutions has arrived in the country last evening, August 11, 2012. Photo: newsday.co.tt
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Virgin Islands News Online is the first to confirm that Trinidadian national, Wayne Rajbansie, who will be the Virgin Islands new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has last evening, Saturday, August 11, 2012 arrived on Tortola to take up his new post.

The new DPP is slated to begin work shortly.

Rajbansie, a former Assistant DPP in his homeland of Trinidad, who had worked at the Office of the DPP for 12 years, had initially applied for the post of DPP before Roger Gaspard was chosen over him.

Mr. Rajbansie, tendered his resignation from the DPP’s office in late 2009 amidst talk of him leaving as a result of not being able to secure the position of DPP which he had previously applied for.

He, at the time had cited “new challenges” as the reason for leaving his post. He subsequently went into private practice as a defense attorney. Rajbansie had been a State Attorney since graduating from law school in 1997.

The former Director of Public Prosecutions in the VI was Ms. Elizabeth Hinds whose contract came to an end in June of this year but was asked to stay on until a new DPP was in place; many observers felt she was unsuitable for the post.

41 Responses to “UPDATE: New DPP Wayne Rajbansie arrives in the Virgin Islands”

  • yes we can (31/07/2012, 14:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    only in the bvi another island man
    • jack be still (31/07/2012, 20:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      there are at least two persons in the DDP office that can do this job..Tiff and the police guy..why bring in someone who cannot even get the work in his country?? suckteeth
    • Terry (04/08/2012, 18:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      To yes we can. I really don't understand why BVIslanders call someone from another island an Island person or Island man or woman. Is the BVI a country? Is the BVI a continent? No to both, therefore every BVIslander is also an Island person. Guyana is a country, The USA is a country. Tortola is an Island. Yes, an Island.
      • BVIslander (12/08/2012, 13:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Let Me Help You: and hopefully others who have never lived in an archipelago of islands, or never recognized they did will do so now. Firstly: by definition...our name, whether Br. Virgin Islands or Virgin Island includes the name 'Islands', and we do refer to ourselves as BVIslanders, or Virgin Islanders, so we are Islanders too. Secondly: The Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands, constitute the LESSER ANTILLES. The Greater Antilles, which comprise the larger ISLANDS, ( Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico ) also constitute another archipelago of islands....... and Bahamas and Turk & Caicos Is. are also archipelagos of islands. The Philippines in the North Pacific are also an archipelago of islands. Thirdly: We are all CARICOM COUNTRIES, which are ISLANDS in the Caribbean Sea, except for Guyana, Surinam and Belize, which are on the Central and South America Continent. Therefore, you see Islands may also be Countries. ENGLAND (UK) is also an ISLAND; so is Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka, BVIs.etc. Fourthly: The colloquialism, 'Down Islands' or 'or Down Islanders', typically referred to islands or islanders to the i SOUTH of of the Virgin Islands, as the VIRGIN ISLANDS (US&BVI) are the most northerly of the island chain. Fifthly; We are a maritime people, our boat captains frequently sailed and traded with the islands to the south and west. So, our boat captains typically spoke of their voyages to the South, as going Down Islands. The Passengers who they brought back, were from Down Islands, typically ST Kitts, Antigua, Anguilla , Nevis , Barbuda.....the islands which were in closer proximity to us than the Windward Is., but not to their exclusion. The term is not used to disparage, as the newer immigrants might assume, but is a hangover as a term of description from the older generation to identify the very early immigrants to our shores. Today, where air travel predominates, and Caribbean Airline Pilots typically refer to their flight paths as, 'DOWN the ROAD', when flying the Southern chain of islands, or 'UP the Road', when flying to the North, the description of 'Down Islands or Down Islanders', is less in vogue. Indeed, people are more apt to ask you, ' Which Island are you from?', almost as a form of greeting.....so that people can get better acquainted, in a country where over 60% of the population are from overseas. As people get better at recognizing the varying accents, that typical type of inquiry of 'Where are you from', will subside. Very few people ask Hispanics, for example 'where are you from', as it is typically assumed that they are from the Dominican Republic, being spanish-speaking. So, lighten up, no need to be super sensitive about everything, real or imagined. Do you know that there are Spanish-Speaking people here who frown at being referred to as 'SPANISH' ? Yet, many Jamaicans I know have no problem with the term JAMDOWN....or....JAMAIKEY, which are I believe are intended to be more terms of endearment or affection, than the classical term JAMAICAN. Socio-linguistics is a whole field of study, into the inquiry of the emergence or disappearance of expressions and linguistic forms within various cultures, and historical contexts, so words come and go, as the cultural context changes. Now U Know.
  • mary j (31/07/2012, 15:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where are our locals?
    • polo (31/07/2012, 16:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So he could not get the job in his own country but h gets it in the BVI so we have to settle for the rejects from other countries..well mey boy I feel like packing up and leaving!! This is some crap mehson
    • BVIslandER (03/08/2012, 11:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes our locals are qualified to do this job, but because the BVI is a small community and we are all connected in some way, it would be difficult for a BVIslander to hold such a post.
      • BVIslander (12/08/2012, 12:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Believe me when I tell you we dont have any locals to fill that position! This man will be better than anything we have to offer working in the Attorney General Office. Trust me on that!
  • taxpayer (31/07/2012, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i AM TIRED OF PAYING TAXES TO PAY THE SALARIES OF HALF BAKED LOCAL ATTORNEYS WHO CAN'T FIGHT THEIR WAY OUT OF A BROWN PAPER BAG. LETS HOPE THAT THIS FELLOW IS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THAT TRINIDAD WOMAN.
    • Buddy ??? (12/08/2012, 13:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The former DPP was a Guyanese, not a Trinidadian....and your eloquence suggests you would have known the difference, unless you want to infer something else or someone else. FACT IS: We were very pleased with one of our former DPPs from Jamaica, whose services we have since had to contract on several occasions for high profile cases in the Territory. Our recently recruited Attorney General is from Jamaica. So, there is no problem in recruiting persons from overseas, from UK, Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad, Guyana, St Kitts, or anywhere else for that matter. We are not racists....but we will respond to racism; Racism has never been experienced from the East Indian Community in the BVI, which is miniscule in numbers anyway. We also need more Trinidadians to counterweight the number of Jamaicans, who don't like Trinis anyway, because they feel they are buying out all their major assets in Jamaica. Find some more Trinis quick, quick, quick. Good temperament, not abrasive, not badmouthing people, not grudgeful or contentious and cantankerous, little bit tricky, so they say and like to play 'mas. Now, let's see if he could win cases!!!!!!!!!
  • black boy (31/07/2012, 16:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope the governor does not control he and you know indians do not like blacks!
    • Sparrow (31/07/2012, 21:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It used to be that whites do not like blacks and the top Cop was considered a racist. Now that an Indian is coming, it is that Indians do not like blacks. I am totally fed-up of this racist saociety. Insyead of wishing the gentleman well, his race comes into play. When will this illiteracy end?
  • ... (31/07/2012, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    His own country don't want him as head DPP but they going bring him here to be ours. It clearly states he was passed over for the position in T&T, why would they bring another reject for two more years. Poor B.V.I all we get here is the rejects, as if we can't do better. I have no problem with expats filling positions that can't be filled by locals but lord man. Something wrong with this picture.
    • Music (31/07/2012, 19:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What about the police officer who was rejected for the top job here, but got the top job down island? Swings and roundabouts!
      • facts man (31/07/2012, 20:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        the different is the guy who got the job down island was from Antigua and return to his home land...this due is from TT and was rejected for the job dey
  • neclear (31/07/2012, 17:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    now you locals going eat rocks ..some indians do not like blacks and whites-he will be control by the white hosue do not like blacks god send help..i cry for my BVI..tears tears
    • Read well (31/07/2012, 18:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      i AM GLAD THAT YOU USED THE WORD "SOME". Some blacks do not like blacks also. Everyone is concerned with race now, not ability. Being overlooked in his homeland doesn' t mean he is incompetent. The standards there are indeed higher in a population of 1.5 million. If he has reached that pinnacle, he is very competent.
      • goat water (31/07/2012, 20:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        oh god the Indians in Trinidad and Guyana do not like the blacks i wonder if he is coming here with this ingrained belief???? Me sorry for the locals in the DPP office
      • Real Talk (31/07/2012, 22:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Being overlooked doesn't mean you're incompetent, it just means someone is better. Your statement says all local attorneys that applied and didn't get it are incompetent. Him being rejected at home but accepted here raises a bigger question. What happen to the qualified locals? With all the talk I bet you can't name one local that could meet the requirement and do the job. The fact that you refer to him as a 'reject' yet he probably surpass any other local applying for the job speaks volumes. It means we must focus on doing better on a people and stop chatting and focusing on bullshit. Talking about where he's from will not change the fact that as locals we need to do better. While you talking he collecting his big salary and perks. When will we ever learn? I wish him all the best!
      • Liat 512 (31/07/2012, 23:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        while many of our own will not support the local lady who can do this job in the DDP office now and argue about she not having 10 years, the Whites, Island men & Arabs taking charge of everything in the BVI.
  • lol (31/07/2012, 18:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He looks a bit like DA.lol
  • dead duck (31/07/2012, 20:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh lord this is trouble as many believe color and caste will play a role in his legal decisions...
  • high hope (31/07/2012, 20:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Redhead will tell we about his performance in a couple months so just hold on..
  • ready or not here I come (31/07/2012, 21:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope he come ready to arrest some NDP and their cronies....
  • fish market (31/07/2012, 23:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is shameful as no b vi islander could get this type of job in Trin-bago. So many people from all over the Caribbean come to the BVI, get work permits and start businesses, but BVIslanders cannot go to their countries to seek employment, even if married to one of their nationals. BVIslanders need to wake up and smell the bush tea!!!!
  • Yes meh boy (01/08/2012, 00:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome sir! We look forward to having you here. Lots of work to be done.
  • she the cat mother (01/08/2012, 07:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Sah this is pure foolishness and we have locals who could do the work!! What’s the price tag for this new expat DPP? What is the recruitment cost? What is his salary?
  • Jenna (01/08/2012, 08:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Rajbansie was not passed over nor was he rejected for the post of DPP in Trinidad. The person appointed to that post was senior to him both in years at the bar and years in the DPP's office so it would be fair to say that the right person got the job in Trinidad. Mr Rajbansie's stellar career is well documented in the Trinidadian press and any fears or doubts will be allayed if you 'google' him. He is a brilliant lawyer and served his country with distinction, he will do no less for the BVI. Well done JLSC and congratulations Mr DPP.
  • one eye (01/08/2012, 08:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not because Trinidad has a lot of crime it means that he is seasoned but once they get to the BVI they cannot perform...the legal system is in the hands of outsiders---Governor white, AG from JAMDOWN, DPP from Trini, and Head Magistrate from JAM and all judges from overseas. Where is the world can locals get justice…Bob, Tico, Bezer and Chad I feel your pain????
    • Sparrow (01/08/2012, 19:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What will you now say as a BVIslander is appointed to head the OECS Judiciary? Shame oon you people. Nobody is an myopic as you people. Shoeuld everyone now say a BVIslander should not be Chief Justice?
  • Interesting (01/08/2012, 15:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just reading this blog, i can conclude that the BVI i a very very racist country!
  • Shara Parlin (01/08/2012, 22:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    for the legal system sake me hope he better that the last one
  • cope (02/08/2012, 00:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Rajbansie welcome to the BVI hope you meet success and can cope with it
  • Fele (03/08/2012, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on people, really! Shame on you, preaching RACE, that’s all we seem to do... So I guess as a young woman who loves traveling, and am highly qualified, I should be afraid to look for work in another country? Imagine being torn down to shreds before even the first day on the job.... Brothers and sisters, I love my own too, but we do not exist in a box all by ourselves. The only thing constant in life is change, let’s learn to adapt. I’m not saying do not stand up when we need to...all I’m saying is cut the crap, this RACE thing needs to stop. How do we expect it to end, when we bring it up at every opportunity we get? Mr. Rajbansie, all the best, you have your work cut out for you. We are all watching, and I (we) do not want you to fail...Welcome Sir...
  • shelia (12/08/2012, 10:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    if he is control by the governor and the DG we in trouble lots of people will get away and the innocent will have to lawyer up
  • Sparrow (12/08/2012, 13:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome Sir - Show them what Trinis could so. Sparrow says so. Wishing you all the best and may the admighty guide you in your decisions and life. Forget the bloggers -when they see you in action, they will know better.
  • fast track (12/08/2012, 19:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome to the jugle.
  • PPA (13/08/2012, 08:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope he does not run after two years like the last one


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