Political Ties Cloud Malacate Beach Land Deal

We’re back tonight with a developing story that continues to stir up serious controversy in Independence Village, right along the shores of Malacate Beach. Now, if you were watching Wednesday night, you’ll remember we told you about a villager who’s raising the alarm over what she calls a shady land deal. Her name is Sherene Garbutt, and she says she was in the middle of securing a lease for twenty acres of prime beachfront property, she even paid to have it surveyed. But here’s where things take a turn. Garbutt later found out that the land was sold right out from under her, to none other than Charles Price, who she claims is the brother of the Prime Minister’s driver. It’s a detail that’s not sitting well with some observers. Tonight, Garbutt is demanding that the Ministry of Natural Resources reverse the sale and return the land to her, or else. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the latest.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

New information has surfaced in the ongoing land scandal involving the Ministry of Natural Resources, and it’s putting even more pressure on officials to explain how prime beachfront property in Independence Village ended up in the hands of someone with close ties to the corridors of power. News Five has obtained an internal document showing that an application to purchase twenty-two acres of land at Malacate Beach was approved for Charles Anthony Price, a resident of Orange Walk. But here’s the part that’s causing concern, credible sources tell News Five that Price is the brother of the Prime Minister’s driver. For Sherene Garbutt, the Independence villager who was actively pursuing a lease for that same land, this revelation only deepens her frustration, and her suspicion that something isn’t right.

 

On the Phone: Sherene Garbutt, Independence Village Resident

“To my shock and dismay, I later discovered that the land had already been sold and titled to Mr. Charles Price on April 29, 2025. I also learned that Mr. Price is the brother of the Prime Minister’s driver, which raises serious concerns about political favoritism and a potential conflict of interest.”

 

For three years, Sherene Garbutt followed all the steps laid out by the Ministry of Natural Resources. She got approval to survey the land, paid for it, and submitted her lease application. But somewhere in the middle of that process, the land was quietly sold to someone else. Here’s what we’ve learned: the application to purchase was submitted to Minister Cordel Hyde on April twenty-ninth, and it was approved. But by that time, lease number 680 of 2024 had already been issued to Charles Price. Was the Lands Commissioner unaware of all this when he told Garbutt, just this past July, that her paperwork was still sitting in the minister’s files? He even told her he was working on her documents. Now, Garbutt is left wondering whether this was a case of miscommunication, or something more troubling.

 

On the Phone: Sherene Garbutt

“I have documented communication with Mr. Bracket, who at one point acknowledged that the file was still under ministerial review. However, as time went on, my inquiries were ignored. It is highly concerning that political influence may have played a role in the reassignment of this land. The individual to whom the land was granted may not even be familiar with its location. Meanwhile, citizens like myself who follow proper procedures are pushed aside without explanation or justice.”

The official purchase price for those twenty-two acres of prime beachfront land was just ten thousand dollars. That’s right, ten grand for a massive piece of property in one of the most sought-after areas in southern Belize. To put that into perspective, a quick online search shows that land on the southern side of Malacate Road is going for as much as forty-five thousand U.S. dollars for less than an acre on the private market. So how did someone walk away with twenty-two acres for a fraction of that price?  It turns out Sherene Garbutt isn’t alone. Since News Five broke the story on Wednesday, more people have come forward with similar claims, and one case has even reached the High Court. San Pedro resident Lisa Guerrero says she’s been living on and investing in a piece of land in Secret Beach since 2004. But despite applying for a lease last September, the ministry gave the title to someone else just three months later, Orange Walk resident Beverly Anglin. Now, Guerrero is suing Anglin, the Attorney General, the Lands Registrar, and Minister Cordel Hyde. She wants the title cancelled, claiming it’s unlawful and violates her rights. She’s also seeking damages, and she’s being represented by Barrow and Williams LLP. Garbutt’s demands echo Guerrero’s, raising even more questions about how land is being handled by the ministry.

On the Phone: Sherene Garbutt

“I am therefore requesting that the Government honor my legitimate expectation and either, return the original twenty-two point twenty-four acres of land to me, or provide a comparable parcel of land within the Malacate area, not in an unrelated location. If this matter is not resolved promptly and fairly, I will be forced to pursue legal action, including engaging legal counsel and contacting the media to bring public attention to the mishandling of land matters in the Lands Department. This situation is not only unjust but also indicative of broader systemic issues that must be addressed.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez