WILLEMSTAD – Former Politur chairman Humphrey Josefa has strongly rejected allegations made against him in recent media reports, describing them as defamatory and defending his 13-year tenure at the helm of Curaçao's tourist police foundation.
In a written statement released this week, Josefa responded to accusations made by Ritzel Godfried of the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), saying the claims are part of a campaign that, according to him, has been ongoing for more than a year, including on social media.
"I have taken note of the publication in which Mr. Ritzel Godfried once again attempts to defame my name," Josefa said. "He has been doing this for more than a year."
Defends record at Politur
Josefa served as chairman and acting director of Stichting Materieel Beheer Politur Curaçao from its establishment in 2012 until his resignation in April 2025.
He described his leadership as successful and pointed to several achievements during his tenure, including securing ANG 1 million from the Crime Fund through the Ministry of Justice, which he said enabled Politur to acquire new operational equipment.
According to Josefa, he stepped down voluntarily after 13 years for what he called "reasons of principle."
"I felt that after 13 years at the helm, it was the right time to leave," he stated.
Questions Godfried's role
In his statement, Josefa also criticized current Politur board member Ritzel Godfried, claiming that three board members had previously signed a request seeking his removal from the board because of what Josefa described as inappropriate behavior and a lack of respect toward fellow board members.
Josefa acknowledged that he ultimately allowed Godfried to remain on the board, a decision he now says he regrets.
Referring to a Dutch proverb meaning "what is done cannot be undone," Josefa said hindsight had shown that decision to have been a mistake.
Annual accounts always submitted
Responding to allegations concerning Politur's financial administration, Josefa insisted that throughout his 13 years leading the foundation, the organization's annual financial statements were prepared each year by an external accounting firm and submitted to the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), the foundation's principal funding agency.
He said CTB's management consistently expressed appreciation for Politur's timely submission of its annual accounts, noting that many organizations on Curaçao fail to meet similar reporting obligations.
Josefa further stated that, before his departure, a local registered accounting firm issued an unqualified audit opinion approving the organization's financial statements.
According to him, CTB management is in possession of that audit opinion.
Responds to governance allegations
Josefa also disputed claims regarding Politur's governance structure.
He said the foundation always operated under a five-member board and never had a Supervisory Board (Raad van Commissarissen), contrary to statements made in recent reports.
According to Josefa, the board met at least once each month and often more frequently.
He contrasted that with the current situation, alleging that Politur has effectively been governed by a single board member for more than a year and a half, referring to Godfried.
Work-related travel
Addressing questions about official travel during his tenure, Josefa said that, as acting director, he undertook work-related trips to countries including Colombia and the Dominican Republic as part of Politur's cooperation with regional tourist police organizations, including CESTUR.
He maintained that every expense—including travel costs, invoices and payments made both locally and abroad—was supported by documentation and submitted to the organization's accountant, allowing the annual accounts to be prepared accurately.
Calls for restructuring
Despite defending his own administration, Josefa concluded by saying that Politur remains an important institution that deserves to continue operating.
However, he argued that the time has come for the government—either through the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) or the Ministry of Justice—to undertake a broader restructuring of the organization.
"Politur has every right to exist," he said, "but the time has come for the government to restructure the organization before it is too late."
Ongoing public debate
Josefa's statement comes amid continued public scrutiny of Politur following the release of audit reports and internal investigations into the organization's governance and financial management. Those reports documented alleged irregularities during previous administrations while also describing extensive governance and administrative reforms implemented under the foundation's current leadership.
To date, the allegations contained in those investigations have not resulted in a judicial ruling, and no court has determined civil or criminal liability. Josefa, for his part, continues to deny wrongdoing and maintains that Politur was properly managed throughout his tenure.