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Witness History: Seggae riots in Mauritius

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Seggae riots in Mauritius

21/02/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Seggae riots in Mauritius

Mauritian musician Kaya, died in police custody on 21 February 1999, sparking rioting

Mauritian musician Kaya, died in police custody on 21 February 1999.

Veronique Topize, Kaya's widow and President Cassam Uteem shared their memories with Reena Stanton-Sharma.

Mauritian musician Kaya, who pioneered a new genre called seggae, fusing reggae and sega, died in police custody on 21 February 1999.

His death sparked three days of rioting. People believed Kaya had been beaten to death.

Veronique Topize, Kaya's widow demanded an independent autopsy and President Cassam Uteem travelled into the heart of the disorder to appeal directly to the rioters to put down their weapons and go home.

Veronique Topize and Cassam Uteem shared their memories with Reena Stanton-Sharma.

(Photo: Painting of Kaya (left). Credit: BBC)

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