A man accused of killing his wife at her Walu Bay, Suva workplace was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter on Monday.
Amelia Mafi was at her workstation at the Total Fiji Ltd at Walu Bay in Suva on August 31, 2019, when she was stabbed repeatedly.
The court heard that the accused, Luke Nasevata, had gone to Ms Mafi’s workplace to confront her about some marital issues they were facing.
He had been told that a car he bought with the deceased was being driven by someone else.
On the day of the incident, he hired a taxi and travelled to her workplace, consuming alcohol along the way.
A witness said Nasevata’s tone changed when she refused to speak with him.
The witness then heard her scream.
In an interview under caution, Nasevata said he picked up a knife on a table and began to stab the deceased repeatedly.
Justice Salesi Temo said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt Nasevata acted wilfully in stabbing Ms Mafi multiple times on her back and other parts of her body, that her death was a direct result of the stabbing and that he intended to kill her.
He also said Nasevata killed her in the heat of passion, provoked by the actions of the deceased in the lead-up to the incident, before it had time to cool.
The case will be called again on Thursday, December 23 for sentencing submissions and mitigation.
Bail was extended for Nasevata.
