Betongolo gendarmerie has arrested a septuagenarian in Andravoahangy suspected of impersonating an adviser to the President of the Refoundation. The impostor was held in custody at Betongolo brigade.
A 75-year-old man posing as an adviser to the President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar was arrested Wednesday in Andravoahangy. According to gendarmerie, he used a telephone number and claimed to be able to secure public sector jobs or facilitate admission of candidates to the National Gendarmerie.
Elements from Antananarivo-Ville Brigade apprehended the septuagenarian, originally from Morondava, who claimed to have been a senior first-class gendarme from the 24th gendarme training course. He stated he resigned in 1986, but verification with the National Gendarmerie Personnel Management directorate confirmed his identity appears neither among active military personnel nor retirees.
Denunciations
The man was placed in custody and an investigation opened for fraud and usurpation of title and function. Investigators noted receiving multiple complaints against him for extorting money by presenting himself as an adviser. His referral to court was scheduled for yesterday.
This arrest follows a series of similar cases. The previous week, another impostor claiming to be the President's technical adviser was detained at Fiadanana Criminal Research Section after conducting an illegal search in Ambohibao with a captain and several men. Alerted gendarmes intervened to stop the operation.
Facing the multiplication of such cases, the Presidency issued a statement on July 10 clarifying that Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, President of the Refoundation, has not authorized anyone to conduct searches. The text emphasizes that anyone usurping the technical adviser position to commit illegal acts must be arrested by competent authorities. The Head of State stressed he has the Prime Minister and ministers to execute his instructions, not self-proclaimed advisers.
Gustave Mparany