Former West Indies fast bowler Franklyn Rose alleges racial discrimination in New Zealand

Says he was beaten and kicked out of hospital

Franklyn Rose (right) is a former West Indies fast bowler. (AFP file photo)

 

Kingston: Former West Indies cricketer Franklyn Rose says he faced racial injustice in New Zealand and was wrongfully deported from the country he visited for a coaching assignment four years ago.

The 44-year-old former pacer is disappointed with the New Zealand immigration system, which deported him to Jamaica after he spent 38 days in prison.

Rose recounted his experience in an interview via the West Indies Players Association.

"I need to let people know what really happened. I am disappointed in the New Zealand immigration system. I am very disappointed," Rose was quoted as saying in 'Jamaica Observer'.

"I want people to understand my side of the story, to set the record straight."

Rose was originally granted a work visa when he was offered a position as coach for the Auckland University Cricket Club, but has not had a valid visa since 2012.

He said he was attacked, beaten and chopped by four white men who used racial slurs while attempting to steal his car. 

"They beat me down. One (guy) missed my head and chopped me on the hand," said Rose, who was hospitalised for three days.

"The nurses kicked me out; (they) said they needed to care for other patients. After a day, my friend had to take me back to the hospital. I was having some serious pains. The doctors told me I had a blood clot in my lungs and I had nerve damage in my hand."

Rose said he checked into a private hospital at a daily cost of USD 1,500, before he was discharged a week later.

He said his health condition and medical treatment prevented him from returning to Jamaica and, as such, he was forced to stay in New Zealand for another two years while various health specialists helped with his recovery. 

"I was prescribed very strong medication, warfarin. That's a blood thinner," he recalled.

"I also had internal bleeding in my brain; that meant more hospital fees and medication, and I was advised by the doctors that I could not travel by air."

The former cricketer said although he reported the assault to the police, there was no related arrest.

He said he was questioned by law enforcement officers about his immigration status, provided them with medical documents and was asked to report to the police station once a week.

Rose said that he was shocked when eight weeks ago, he was dragged out of his house by police, who told him he was under investigation for a rape incident.