THE mother of a 20-year-old man has come forward after her son was allegedly targeted over the weekend, claiming he was forced into a confrontation before being attacked by a group of youths.
Emele Wainiqolo said her son, Joketama Mocelutu, was hospitalised after suffering injuries to his head and jaw during the incident, which she alleges involved youths from the Nabua Topline area.
Ms Wainiqolo told this newspaper the incident occurred around 7pm when her son and his cousin were sent to a nearby shop to buy food.
On their way, he met one of his former primary school friends, who allegedly signalled to other boys from Topline.
“One of the boys caught him from there and told him to go with them (to the Topline block),” Ms Wainiqolo said.
She said her son then told his cousin to run to the shop and call for help.
“My son was then told, ‘you’re going to fight with one boy. If you win, you’re going to walk free. If you lose, can’t say’.”
Ms Wainiqolo claimed he initially refused to fight but was pressured into doing so.
“So he had to fight and he won. They said he could leave, when he turned around to leave someone punched him in the face.”
She said her son lost consciousness and later remembered waking up to an elderly man helping him.
While the man was assisting him, his jacket was removed, revealing an RFMF vest underneath and that was when the situation escalated.
“All the boys that were there began to beat him up and began kicking him in the face.
“They took off his vest and left him with a jacket and threw him outside to go home.”
She said someone had alerted the family who went searching for him, unaware he was already making his way home.
He was taken to the military hospital where they kept him overnight.
“We were told at least six boys were there beating him up. But more came when his vest was revealed.”
Police confirmed that a report had been lodged and an investigation was underway.
