Minister Broomes seen in CCTV footage in a violent display.
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, yesterday claimed that two security guards attached to a firm providing security at a business establishment in Providence, East Bank Demerara, were abusive to her.
One even pointed a gun to her, she said. But CCTV video footage from the scene tells a different story.
Police in a statement said, “A thorough investigation has been launched following allegations of abuse and threats against a Minister of the Government and her driver at the parking lot of a popular established business premises located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, about 20:30hrs Sunday.
The police said that two security guards were arrested, detained overnight and released on their own recognizance yesterday afternoon. Investigations will continue.
The Minister claimed that she was fearful for her life after one of the security officials, pointed his gun at her. She accused the security person of attempting to prevent her driver from carrying her up to the entrance of the New Thriving Restaurant, where she was going to get some food.
But contrary to the Minister, video footage of the incident that was obtained by this publication, showed a totally different story.
The Minister’s vehicle drove up to an area that had “no parking” signs. The vehicle stopped and the driver disembarked. He then removed the “no parking” sign and returned to the vehicle.
At the same time, the security guard who the Minister claimed pointed a gun at her could be seen making a gesture to her driver. The security guard was armed with a shotgun that was hanging from his right shoulder by a gun strap.
He walked up to the vehicle and replaced the sign. This caused the vehicle that was just about to move off to come to a halt again. The Minister’s driver exited the vehicle once again and there was some exchange of words between the security guard and the driver.
The driver moved the sign again; the security guard is seen pointing to the New Thriving Restaurant entrance. When asked what was the exchange about, the security guard said, he was telling the Minister’s driver that there were no cars at the back there.
The guard said, he also told him he could park where the security can see the vehicle and see the people walking in and out.
While this is going on, another security guard came up. The Minister exists the rear left door of a Black SUV, and proceeded to throw two “no parking” signs to the ground.
The armed security guard proceeded to pick-up the signs. He later explained that he was telling the person who exited the vehicle and threw the signs away that she cannot do that.
The security guard could be seen picking up the signs again, and then the vehicle started to move forward and hit one of the security guards who was standing in front of the vehicle at this time.
The vehicle stopped once again and the driver exited yet again. This time, the security guard claims that the driver pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot.
The Minister can be seen going around to the driver side of the vehicle where the driver was standing at the time. The security guard said the lady told the driver, “No, no, no put the gun away, put the gun away.”
The security guard said after he realized that things were escalating, he decided to move aside and let them through.
The police were called in and they came promptly. The security guard and another worker contracted to the building were taken to the police station and were locked up.
The video does not show the security guard pointing his gun at the Minister at any time as she claimed. Click on link to see video:
