May, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Former Transport Minister: “I Want to Clear My Name”

An internal investigation within the Ministry of Transport has revealed serious concerns about financial mismanagement, with funds collected for services allegedly being diverted before reaching government accounts. The matter has now been formally handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review.

Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh, who assumed office only weeks ago, launched the investigation after identifying anomalies across several offices countrywide. “When we came in we found irregularities across the country,” he said. “We have a case with the DPP… I can’t speak to it specifically, so we are taking steps—that is our responsibility.”

The core issue, according to Dr. Zabaneh, involves public payments for services at ministry offices that never make it into government coffers. “Certain amount of money is collected at that level and it does not reach into the coffers of government. There are schemes that they use to take these monies into their own pockets,” he revealed. He added, “We feel that until we are able to make an example of rogue employees who are there stealing the resources of our people… maybe until then it continues business as usual. Hopefully people get the message we are serious.”

The investigation has fueled speculation about whether former Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson may be implicated. But Dr. Zabaneh emphasized that no individual is currently being targeted: “At this point what we are looking at is in the hands of the DPP.”

Ferguson has issued a public statement defending his record and distancing himself from the alleged wrongdoing. “I want to make it categorically clear. I was informed by the Mennonite community of supposedly corruption at the Transport department office in Spanish Lookout. Right away I ask the internal auditor to launch an investigation,” Ferguson said.

He added that when he left office, the investigation was still ongoing and the estimated loss had already surpassed $70,000.

“I want the public to understand the Minister is not the accounting officer. He doesn’t sign on any document. There is a difference between the Minister and the CEO. The Minister is to implement policies and the CEO is responsible for the day-to-day activity of the Ministry,” he explained. “I want to clear my name.”

NOAA Predicts Above-Normal Hurricane Activity for 2025 Atlantic Season

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued its official outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, forecasting above-average activity with a 60% chance of an above-normal season. The season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.

According to NOAA’s forecast, there will likely be 13 to 19 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph. Of these, 6 to 10 are expected to become hurricanes, and 3 to 5 could strengthen into major hurricanes—Category 3 or higher, with winds exceeding 111 mph. NOAA says it has 70% confidence in these projections.

Several factors are contributing to the heightened activity this year, including warmer-than-average Atlantic Ocean temperatures, weaker wind shear, and a potential northward shift of the West African Monsoon, which often seeds powerful Atlantic storms. NOAA also cited ENSO-neutral conditions and reduced trade winds, which allow storms to intensify more easily.

“As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities,” noted Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm. “NOAA is critical for the delivery of early and accurate forecasts and warnings, and provides the scientific expertise needed to save lives and property.”

Trump-Era Deportation Flight To Touch Down with 25 Belizeans Today

An Airbus A320 jet from the United States is scheduled to land at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) this morning, carrying 25 Belizeans being deported from the U.S.

The flight, originating from Louisiana, is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing deportation operations.

Most of the individuals on board are being repatriated for immigration-related offences, including illegal entry and visa overstays. They will be processed by relevant authorities at the airport.

They then will be taken to a police station in Belize City.

One of those persons on the flight is expected to be Jody Rhamdas who is wanted for an attempted murder charge dating back to 2023. He will be arrested immediately.

Will It Be Enough? GOB Scrambles to Avert Nationwide Teachers’ Strike

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) will vote today on its next industrial action against the Briceño Administration. A day before the vote, the government has issued a formal response to key union demands.

In a letter dated May 21, 2025, addressed to the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT), Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde outlined several Cabinet-approved concessions following a meeting held on May 13 between union representatives and government officials.

The government’s letter said it is willing to move forward with elements of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and related worker benefits. “Cabinet has approved the execution of the General CBA Framework on 18th June 2025 or any other date agreed upon by the parties,” the letter states, adding that this is contingent on a 60-day maximum response period for counterproposals.

Among the most significant commitments is a partial salary adjustment in response to the unions’ request for an 8.5% salary increase and the reinstatement of two frozen increments. The Cabinet has approved “a 3% salary increase starting 1st October 2025” and “an additional increment at the start of FY 2026–2027.” The remaining 5.5% increase and the second frozen increment, however, are subject to further negotiations tied to measures for pension reform, cost savings, and revenue enhancement.

The letter also says that Cabinet “approved the disbursement of funds to meet TRANSFER GRANTS due and owing as agreed upon in the CBA 2021–2024.” The government also reconfirmed its pledge to raise the minimum wage to $6 in line with Plan Belize 2.0, though it stressed that this would follow consultation with key stakeholders.

Another notable point is the government’s move to assume full financial responsibility for teacher pensions. “Cabinet has instructed the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary to give legal effect to the Government’s assumption of 100% payment of Pensions and Gratuities for teachers in grant-aided institutions effective September 2024,” Hyde wrote.

The letter also outlines a broader framework for future negotiations, including “a CPI/COST OF LIVING (COLA) formula, Income Tax relief, Land access, Housing Programs, Education Scholarship Opportunities, Union officers benefits and privileges, and agreed upon performance targets.”

“We believe that all of the above reflect a good faith, responsible, respectful response to the matters discussed in our 13th May Meeting,” the letter concludes.

Today’s vote by the BNTU membership will determine whether teachers proceed to the next phase of industrial action. The union has already issued a 21-day strike notice and staged a demonstration earlier this month.

Attorney Raises Alarm Over Denied Legal Access Under State of Emergency

Good evening. We begin with growing concerns over the treatment of detainees under Belize’s current state of emergency. A prominent attorney is sounding the alarm, claiming that basic constitutional rights may be under threat. Leeroy Banner, who recently secured a major court victory for sixteen unlawfully detained men, is now challenging the Kolbe Foundation after a client was denied access to legal counsel. The prison says it’s following emergency regulations, but Banner argues that the law is clear: even in a crisis, the right to an attorney must be upheld.

Leeroy Banner, Attorney-at-law

“Just yesterday a colleague of mine shared with me an email from the prison and I cant believe that the prison would put this in writing. One of my colleagues went to the prison to see someone who is detained under this current SOE. And, the prison would put in an email that you can’t see your client because he is detained under an SOE. Like, you really put that in writing. How can you be so bold and misguided to say that your client cannot see and attorney and he needs a court order to see an attorney. That is ridiculous.”

Isani Cayetano

“That, in my opinion, falls under your fundamental constitutional right.”

Leeroy Banner

“Of course it does. You have a fundamental right to an attorney.”

We sought comments from the Chief Executive Officer at Kolber Foundation, Virgilio Murillo, but our calls and texts went unanswered.

Gang Charge Dropped, But Azzane Domingo Remains Behind Bars for Murder Case

Tonight, Azzane Domingo, a well-known figure linked to the George Street Gang, is no longer facing a gang-related charge. On Tuesday evening, he appeared in court, where a Senior Magistrate informed him that the charge of being a gang member was officially dismissed. Domingo is one of several men recently cleared of similar charges. Just weeks ago, Gilbert Wade had his gang charge dropped, and a few months earlier, Tony McDonald saw the same outcome. However, despite the legal win, Domingo isn’t walking free. He remains on remand at the Belize Central Prison, where he’s awaiting trial for a much more serious accusation — the murder of Winston Joseph James, also known as “Tanga,” and the attempted murder of Marybeth Wade. That incident happened on January twenty-first, 2022, in Belize City. Domingo was formally charged with the murder on September twenty-third, 2024, and has been behind bars since. He’s now waiting for a preliminary inquiry to determine if the case will proceed to trial.

Brandon Gillett Walks Free After Firearm Case Dismissed

It’s been a long road for municipal court bailiff Brandon Vaughan Gillett, but today, he walked out of court a free man. For two days this week, Monday and again today, Gillett was spotted outside the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, waiting for his case to be called. Off camera, he told us he had a feeling the case would be dismissed. And he was right. This morning, Gillett appeared before a Senior Magistrate, alongside Legal Aid attorney Monica Stuart, who was standing in for his usual lawyer. Inside, the prosecutor, a police sergeant, told the court that the case would be amended. Originally, Gillett faced five counts of altering a firearm. But the prosecution dropped four of those charges and stuck with just one. Even that didn’t hold up. The Senior Magistrate dismissed the charge, ruling that the items Gillett allegedly added to his licensed firearm didn’t actually alter it. The prosecutor explained that “altering” means changing the weapon’s function—like sawing off a shotgun barrel or removing a serial number. In Gillett’s case, the additions were just accessories and didn’t change the firearm’s caliber or structure. With that, the case was thrown out, and Gillett was free to go. This case dates back to December 2023, when Gillett was first charged with five counts of altering a firearm without written permission from the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board. At the time, he initially pleaded guilty and asked for a sentencing indication. But when he learned he could face a year in prison, he quickly changed his plea and was remanded—spending Christmas behind bars before securing bail from the High Court. The case was originally scheduled to be heard by Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers, but in her absence, it was reassigned to Court #2. Gillett’s arrest followed a family dispute at a funeral, where he was seen with an assault rifle. That led police to search his home, where they found his licensed firearm and claimed it had been illegally modified. Today, however, the court ruled otherwise.

Gunfire at Busy Belize City Intersection Damages Government Vehicle

A mid-morning shooting has left a government vehicle riddled with bullets and investigators scrambling for answers. Just before noon today, gunfire erupted at the busy intersection of Central American Boulevard and Faber’s Road. Authorities say a confrontation between three men outside the Zan Zan Store quickly escalated when one of them, reportedly concealing a firearm in an arm sling, opened fire. Though no injuries have been reported, the incident caused significant damage to a government-issued Isuzu SUV driven by Assistant Superintendent Francis Williams of the Anti-Narcotics Unit, who was caught in the crossfire. Scenes of Crime personnel recovered four spent shells at the scene, and a secondary location on Gill Street yielded a 9mm pistol believed to have been used in the shooting. Tonight, police continue their investigation as the community reels from yet another act of brazen daylight violence. We’ll have more details as they become available.

Belize City Family Court Driver Dies in Highway Crash

A tragic accident has claimed the life of fifty-three-year-old Raymond Belgrave, a well-known driver for the Belize City Family Court. The fatal crash happened late Monday morning, May twentieth, along the Philip Goldson Highway in the Orange Walk District. Around 11:20 a.m., police responded to reports of a traffic accident between miles fifty-one and fifty-two. When officers arrived, they found Belgrave unconscious behind the wheel of a badly damaged Foton Tunland pickup truck. Investigators say he lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road, and slammed into a fence. Belgrave was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, but sadly, he was pronounced dead on arrival. His sudden passing has left a deep void among his family, friends, and colleagues, who remember him for his dedication, loyalty, and years of service.

Proposed National Bus Company Creates Tension with Local Operators

The Ministry of Transport has floated the idea of creating a single national bus company, but not everyone’s on board. The Belize Bus Owners Association is pushing back, saying the proposal could sideline the very operators who’ve kept the country moving under tough conditions. Transport Minister Doctor Louis Zabaneh and C.E.O. Chester Williams presented the plan to bus owners earlier this month. But just weeks later, the BBOA issued a public statement calling for fairness in the industry. They say their members have been struggling without access to key financial support and outlined four demands aimed at creating a more level playing field. The association believes that with the right support and policies, Belize’s bus industry can thrive long-term. However, Minister Zabaneh says he’s read the release and claims that many BBOA members don’t actually support the demands being made.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport

“I read their release and the first thing I tried to find out was how many of the bus owners supported the release. After making some calls a number of the larger bus owners are not supporting the release, inf act they are willing to continue with the process we have laid out to revenue the proposal we have made. For those who did support the release, which is a minority we anticipated their would be some concerns. That is natural with something as transformational for them. We have a meeting scheduled for next Friday, the second meeting as we agreed to start to look at some of the details going forward. From what they proposed it is a plan that will still not resolve most of the issues we have. The reason being that the industry cannot attain economies of scale with thirty-one operators along our highway. That is a large number of operators in a very small country, relatively speaking.”