“YOU filthy animal, I hope you rot and suffer all your life.”
These words were uttered by Kelevi Vakaruivalu while confronting high seas murder accused Tevita Qaqa Kapawale in the High Court in Suva yesterday.
Mr Vakaruivalu is the older brother of Qiritavabea Cagilabakomeli, one of the five crew members murdered aboard the MV Tiro II in 2021. The others were Indonesians Benjamin Semuel Mattaputty, Eme Warma and Alfat Kodri, and Fijians Samuela Sukera, and Qiritavabea Cagilabakomeli. All the victims were under 45 years, with the youngest being 28.
Justice Dane Tuiqereqere recently found Kapawale guilty of their murder.
Kapawale was also convicted of the attempted murder of Kaminieli Tucama and criminally intimidating Mitieli Cama, who were also crew members of the vessel.
In court yesterday, Mr Vakaruivalu was one of the relatives of the victims who took the stand during the sentencing hearing to describe how their lives had been changed by the incident.
Addressing Kapawale, he told the convicted man he would face the consequences of his actions and that he was more despicable than an animal.
But in a contrasting tone, Tarasese Rokoceva, the wife of Mr Sukera, expressed her forgiveness towards the man.
Ms Rokoceva told the court how she is struggling to care for her son and family. The court heard Mr Sukera was also not able to celebrate his son’s first birthday.
Survivor Mr Tucama also shared his feelings, saying he was afraid of going outside and has been unemployed since the tragedy in 2021.
Prosecutor Triveshni Sharma told the court that Kapawale understood the repercussions of his actions when he killed five crew members on board with an axe.
Ms Sharma noted that the two survivors had no option but to conceal themselves for 28 hours inside the vessel without food to avoid being killed.
She said Kapawale had a history of violence, shown by his prior assault convictions in 2020.
When the judge asked if Kapawale had anything to say, he responded in the negative.
In remand for 16 months and 24 days, Kapawale will be sentenced on August 12.
