Caïd in Taghzout N’Aït Atta Removed After Calling Elderly Man a ‘Donkey’

Rabat – Abdelouafi Laftit, Morocco’s Minister of the Interior, has reportedly removed the caïd (local administrator) of the commune of Taghzout N’Aït Atta from his position after a video showed him insulting an elderly man during a medical caravan earlier this year.

The caïd has been transferred to the prefecture of Tinghir without any official duties, according to converging reports. They added that for now, the deputy head of internal affairs has been appointed to manage the commune temporarily until a new official is named.

The incident became widely known after a video circulated on social media in May. The caïd can be heard in the footage calling an elderly citizen a “donkey.” The man appears visibly hurt and embarrassed, while members of the auxiliary forces can be seen trying to calm him and offer comfort. Their reaction was commended by many viewers, who contrasted it with the caïd’s disrespectful behavior.

The clip quickly went viral and sparked a wave of anger online. Many internet users said the insult was unacceptable, especially coming from a public official who is supposed to protect and serve citizens.

Several local associations and human rights defenders strongly condemned the caïd’s actions. They said the behavior was “unworthy” of someone in public service and stressed that every citizen, especially elderly people, deserves respect and dignity.

These groups also said the incident is part of a larger issue of abuse of power at the local level, and called for stricter rules and better training for local officials.

Although the Ministry of the Interior acted quickly according to these reports, many people feel the punishment is not strong enough. They argue that transferring the caïd without giving him official tasks is a light measure and does not match the seriousness of the insult.

Comments on social media show many citizens believe the official should face a harsher penalty, such as suspension or disciplinary procedures, to send a clear message that disrespect and abuse of power will not be tolerated.

Others say the case should not end with a simple administrative move. They want the ministry to open a full investigation and make the results public to ensure transparency and accountability.