THE Fiji Sports Council’s decision to terminate former CEO Gilbert Vakalalabure and manager operations Litia Senibulu has raised serious questions over governance and accountability within the national sporting body.
The Council’s legal representatives confirmed the two officials were dismissed following an investigation that identified breaches and financial losses.
Senior partner of Haniff Tuitoga Lawyers, Tomasi Tuitoga, confirmed to this newspaper that Vakalalabure and Senibulu were terminated on May 27 this year under what is known as a “without cause” contractual provision.
Tuitoga described the move as a “contractual no-fault exit”, meaning the Council exercised a provision within their employment contracts that allowed their employment to be terminated without the need to formally establish misconduct through a disciplinary process.
Despite the “without cause” designation, Tuitoga confirmed that an independent investigation conducted by Pherrus Financial Services had uncovered issues involving both former executives.
When asked whether the investigation identified any breaches of law, policy, procurement procedures or governance requirements, Tuitoga responded: “Yes.”
He also confirmed that the investigation found evidence of financial loss suffered by the Fiji Sports Council.
While details of the alleged breaches have not been publicly disclosed, Tuitoga said there were “several” allegations made against the two.
Questions remain over the extent of the findings and whether the alleged breaches directly influenced the Board’s decision to invoke the contractual termination clause.
Tuitoga declined to comment on whether the Board’s decision was unanimous, saying he was not present at the meeting where the terminations were approved.
The legal representative also confirmed that Senibulu is expected to challenge her dismissal, with an unfair termination claim likely to be pursued.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds Vakalalabure’s whereabouts.
Reports indicate he is currently overseas, but Tuitoga said he was unable to confirm whether the former CEO left Fiji before or after being informed of his termination.
The developments come as the Fiji Sports Council faces increasing scrutiny over governance standards and financial accountability, with stakeholders now awaiting further details on the Pherrus Financial Services report and the circumstances that led to the dismissal of two of the organisation’s most senior officials.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the Police Criminal Investigations Department are currently conducting an investigation following the receipt of the auditor’s report.
The case is expected to attract significant attention particularly if legal proceedings are initiated and the findings of the investigation become public.
When approached yesterday, Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru declined to respond.
