Belnavis discharged from hospital after machete attack

Mayor of St Ann’s Bay Michael Belnavis has reportedly been discharged from the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital and is said to be recuperating at home.

Belnavis was admitted Tuesday after being injured in an attack at his premises along the Boscobel main road in St Mary around 11 p.m. Monday night.

He reportedly received several chop wounds, including to the head.

Up to Thursday evening, there was no official word from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) about the incident, leading to widespread speculation around the details of the attack.

On Wednesday, the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), in a statement to the media, called for the JCF to make a public statement on the investigation into the incident “to assure the public that a thorough and impartial investigation is being conducted”.

“This violent act is completely unacceptable and highlights the ongoing need for decisive action to address crime in our country,” said Jouvaughnie Byfield, opposition junior spokesperson on security and defence.

Carl Gilchrist