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PHILIPSBURG--The Prosecutor's Office has been given until November 6 to indicate whether or not it will pursue a case against former Minister Maria Buncamper-Molanus for the sale of the economic rights for a piece of government long-lease land, that was granted to a company owned by her and her husband.
Buncamper-Molanus resigned in December 2011, when it was made public that she had sold the economic rights and she was faced with a motion of no-confidence in Parliament. Since then, there has been the possibility of charges against her, but none were filed by the authorities.
The former minister filed a court case calling on the authorities to end the case or for the investigation into the case to be started post haste. That case was heard on Monday and the verdict was handed down by the judge on Wednesday.
Solicitor-General Taco Stein told The Daily Herald the judge decided not to end the case, but put a limit that the investigation must be completed by November 6, and at that time the Prosecutor's Office will have to indicate whether or not it will file a case against the former minister.
The November 6 deadline does not mean the case will have to be filed in court by that date; only that the investigation should be concluded in the matter.
Asked if his office had the necessary technical and other expertise to investigate the situation fully by the date given by the judge, Stein said, "Yes."
Buncamper-Molanus is a candidate with the United People's (UP) party for the August 29 Parliamentary Elections.
