Less than one week after she watched the Government bulldoze her home at Cane View, Mocha Arcadia, single mother, Lashonda Ellis, has now found herself jobless after being fired by the Home Affairs Ministry.

Speaking with News Source today, Ms Ellis, who served as a Data Entry Clerk at the Providence Police Station, said she was served with the dismissal letter today over her protest to prevent being moved during the demolition exercise.

“Now I am without a home and without a job. I don’t know what is the next step for me or what is the next move for me right now. Honestly, how I am feeling right now, I don’t have words,” she told News Source. 

In the termination letter dated January 10, 2023, the Home Affairs Ministry’s Principal Personnel Officer, Eureka Duncan told Ms Ellis that her service is no longer needed. “I wish to inform you that approval has been given for you to be dismissed from the Public Service with effect from January 5, 2023 for acting in a manner that will bring the Ministry into disrepute,” the letter read.

A Ministry of Home Affairs official said Ellis was caught on camera assaulting a Police Officer during a protest and a complaint was filed with the Ministry.

Ms Ellis was one of seven families whose homes were demolished by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) last Thursday (January 5) amid fierce confrontation between the police and irate protestors.

Before her single flat wooden home, with all of its valuables, was reduced to rubble, Ms Ellis locked herself in the building in objection. Having lived in Cane View for well over 20 years, Ms Ellis vowed to protect her home but she was forcefully removed from the building before it was taken apart by the authorities.

 Prior to the demolition exercise, the Ministry of Housing and Water had offered to compensate the ‘squatters’ by providing either financial compensation or housing units, however, according to Ms Ellis, the affected residents have not heard from the Ministry since last Thursday.

They are currently seeking shelter at relatives and friends in the area. Former Minister of Government, Simona Broomes, through her Simona Broomes Foundation, has been offering assistance to the residents by providing food and clothing.

Ms Broomes told News Source that, in offering support to the affected, she has received assistance from local businessmen and other overseas based Guyanese. They are now provided with hot meals on a daily basis.

Turning her attention to the dilemma now facing Ms Ellis, Ms Broomes said the decision to fire the single parent mother is unconscionable.

She said there is a general feeling of hopelessness among the affected.

According to Ms Broomes, the two sides should return to the negotiating table, and arrive at an amicable solution. In the interim, she called on other Guyanese home and abroad to lend their support to the now displaced residents.

Related posts:

“Ali, you diss me” – Displaced Mocha resident said her efforts to engage government before demolition were shunned Government bulldozes Mocha “squatter” homes as protesters clash with Police GECOM Chair writes Home Affairs Ministry and Chief Immigration Officer for verification of claims of voter impersonation Prison Director transferred to Home Affairs Ministry