RESIDENTS of Zimbabwe in Arnett Gardens, St Andrew, are irate following allegations that Sunday’s brutal murder of 17-year-old Mickolle Moulton was due to her refusal to give in to sexual advances by men in the community.

In fact, so angry were the residents that the police had to relocate the teen’s mother.

During a visit to the teen’s home by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, an angry, placard-bearing crowd descended on the group of officials chanting “murderer” towards Mickolle’s mother — an expression of their outrage about the speculations surrounding her daughter’s death.

This led to the police escorting the teen’s mother out of the community.

One of the placards read: “No rapist no live here,” while residents, like Andre Stewart, boldly defended the integrity of the community that is popularly known as “Jungle”.

“Whosoever give out that information, something should be done about it, because it is false and is tarnishing the community’s name that we are trying to build. There are too many women here, too many big women for anyone to want to look sex from those little girls. There is no reason for that,” he said.

“The only time you see those girls is when the mother walk them to the bus stop or they go to meet their mother somewhere,” he continued. “We would rather sell chicken back and make a dollar honestly than to go rape or look sex from children.“

Similar sentiments were echoed by two women, one of whom gave her name as Ann-Marie, while the other spoke to the Jamaica Observer on condition of anonymity.

“Too many loose girls around here for someone to target them,” one of the women said.

“Dem gal ya nuh wear clothes. There is no need to rape; all men have to say to some of them is ‘Ruu’ and dem say ‘Yes’, especially when they can get [fast food] or a ‘Marlon Special’, which is a $150 chicken back [meal]. No one roun’ here nuh so thirsty fi rape or want to send for anyone,” she said.

Ann-Marie said: “Zim man dem get rid of the rapists long time. Dem deh days deh stop. We want justice for the little girl, but we also want to set the record straight.”

Meanwhile, Holness condemned the killing in the presence of the residents and, in a press conference at Trench Town Police Station, he said while he cannot comment on the motive for the killing, the entire Jamaica is upset and angry as there is no excuse for taking someone’s life.

He further appealed to the residents to support Mickolle’s mother, who is the victim in the situation.

“The real test of the society is how we treat the vulnerable, weakest — the victim. We appeal to the community to look out for the victim as well. Someone has lost their life and another youngster is battling for life right now. The mother is torn up… We all have to come together and draw a line in the sand, and those who are with the criminals should recognise that criminals are no respecter of life; they will turn on you one day. Anyone in that community could be a victim.

“I represent a similar community and I understand how they work — the criminal network, the organised criminal. They are not doing you a favour, they are no Robin Hoods, they are not promoting the community or keeping the peace. At a moment’s notice they will turn on you and kick off your door and kill your daughter. So, yes, you would want to maintain the good name of the community, but you should also look to the suffering of the mother and the victims. There is no winner if this is the way to deal with it,” Holness said.

“I don’t want this to become a situation where the community is on one side and the victim on one side. I appeal to people living in the area to reach out to the victims and support them, protect them, and that’s how the community will reclaim its image,” he added.

The prime minister also promised that Mickolle’s killing will not go in vain and shared that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and professional counselling services have been tasked to provide assistance.

With regard to the recent zones of special operations Act, which will provide for special measures for upholding and preserving the rule of law, public order, citizen security, and public safety within certain geographically defined areas of Jamaica, Holness said Arnett Gardens does meet the criteria. However, he stated that he was unable to say whether or not it would be selected as one of the zones.

Additionally, Senator Mark Golding, who was also in the community, said the killing has brought outrage, but “what has complicated the situation is the allegations around it, which have impugned the local people in relation to the motive behind it”.

“The residents are upset and feel like that is making them look low. What I’ve heard on the ground is not consistent with the allegations either. I’ve heard other things but they are speculative. It goes to show how something sensitive like this can have a knock-on effect which is undesirable,” he said.

Senator Golding went on to say that he will be holding the Government to its commitment that it will lend support to the family as it pertains to burial arrangements for Mickolle.