Text and image Jason Pinas
PARAMARIBO — “I always said that justice will prevail, but I think four years is really too little. Still, we will have to bow our heads to what the judge has said.” Victim Michel Komproe said this on Wednesday after the conviction of the popular artist Orlando Watts better known as ‘Kappalani’.
Judge Maureen Dayala imposed an unconditional prison sentence of four years on the perpetrator for assault. She also decided on mandatory supervision during his sentence by the Forensic Social Care Service.
“Kappalani asked me if I wanted to play a gangster and if I wanted hood injuries”
Victim Michel Komproe
Birthday party
Kappalani was arrested at his home more than a year ago, after he had recently injured Komproe in the face with a hack on Leo Eliazerstraat. “It was my niece’s birthday in October and we had a surprise party for her,” the victim recalls.
He speaks of a pleasant evening until a younger brother of Kappalani got into an altercation with some other men. “I have known both brothers for a long time, so I asked the younger brother not to ruin the evening, but to leave it as it is,” says Komproe.
It became a back and forth between parties that degenerated into a brawl. “I’ve always been taught not to hit first. But if someone hits me, I’m going to hit you back, because mi mama no meki kwaku“, says Komproe, referring to the fact that he defended himself when he was attacked.
Cut down
The victim says that Kappalani suddenly intervened in the fight and took out a hack at an unexpected moment. “He asked me if I wanted to play a gangster and if I wanted hood cuts,” Komproe recalls.
Before he could do anything, the artist cut him on the hand and face. At first he did not realize that he also had a deep wound on his face. “I heard people screaming, but I didn’t know exactly where I had been hit. I thought it was only in the palm of my hand.”
Komproe says that he had several stitches and was traumatized by the incident for a long time. “My children no longer recognized me as their father,” he sounds emotional.
Despite all this, the victim remains positive, as is evident from his statement: “Life goes on!”
