Jamaica News Roundup: Health Permanent Secretary Contempt Charge, INDECOM Probe And St. James Shooting Scrutiny

Health and Wellness Ministry Permanent Secretary Errol Green has reportedly been charged with contempt of court in connection with legal proceedings involving the Integrity Commission. The specific basis for the charge has not been disclosed, but the matter is said to be before the courts. Contacted for comment, Green said he could not speak on the issue at this time. The Integrity Commission acknowledged a media query and indicated that a response would follow.

The Independent Commission of Investigations is also examining reports that members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force participated in a gun salute at a nine-night for a constable in St. Catherine earlier this week. INDECOM Commissioner Hugh Faulkner confirmed the probe. Video from the event appears to show several men firing shots into the air, and one constable reportedly seen in the footage has been interdicted, with his service weapon seized pending the outcome.

In St. James, police are under fresh pressure after four men, including a father and son, were fatally shot during an operation in Retirement on Wednesday. Relatives and residents rejected claims that at least one of the dead men was involved in crime. At a St. James Municipal Corporation meeting, Granville councillor Michael Troupe questioned divisional commander Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels and said one victim was a working man. Samuels said Retirement had been under police watch because of recent violence linked to a scrap-metal dispute. He also identified Orange, Barrett Town, Flanker and the town centre as areas of concern. Police say St. James has recorded 34 murders so far this year, up from 23 over the same period last year.

St. Elizabeth North Eastern MP Zuleika Jess and her driver, Derek Facey, were fined after pleading guilty to traffic-related offences arising from a March 31 stop in Santa Cruz. Jess was fined $35,000, while Facey was fined $55,250.

A Kingston family is demanding answers from Kingston Public Hospital after 73-year-old Joel Ski died following surgery. Relatives say he had reported falling from a bed and later developed complications. The hospital said it has opened an internal review and invited the family to meet.

Flow Jamaica says only 25% of its customers currently have 5G-capable devices, while 21% have both the required handset and SIM card. General manager Stephen Price said additional areas, including Santa Cruz, Black River, Mandeville, May Pen, Morant Bay and Bull Bay, should receive service shortly.