Woman accuses Minister Gilroy Usher of cutting down fence in land dispute; Home Affairs issues warning on land disputes

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Belize City woman is accusing Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics, Gilroy Usher, of entering property she claims belongs to her and cutting down a portion of her chain-link fence amid an ongoing land dispute.

The woman, identified on Facebook as, Jamie Maximo documented the incident during a Facebook Live on Saturday, August 29, repeatedly identifying Usher as she filmed what was unfolding at the property. Maximo said she has documents for the land and has lived and developed the property for approximately 17 years.

In the video, Maximo accused Usher of trespassing and damaging her property and called for police and the media to respond to the scene.

Maximo further alleges that an attempt is being made to divide her lot and transfer a portion of the land to another individual whom she claims is associated with the Usher family. BBN has not independently verified the ownership documents, survey boundaries or the alleged intended transfer of the parcel as yet.

In a subsequent Facebook Live, Maximo also filmed Usher’s son, former police officer Darrel “Tutsi” Usher, visiting the property as the dispute continued. Maximo again maintained that the land belonged to her and questioned why the area she had developed was being targeted for subdivision.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has since released a public service message on the proper legal procedure for dealing with land disputes, fence boundaries and alleged encroachments. While the message did not specifically name Maximo or Usher, it comes in the immediate aftermath of the highly publicized incident.

The Ministry said parties alleging encroachment should first hire a licensed surveyor and, where the findings are disputed, make an application to the Land Registry for the Registrar of Lands to formally determine the legal boundary. If a party subsequently refuses to comply, the property owner may seek a court order regarding trespass, removal of the fence and possible damages.

The message concludes: “Belize is a country of order and discipline. Know the Law. Follow the Law. Nobody is above the law.”

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