One of the three people charged over the death of a six-year-old boy in Vatuwaqa, Suva, has pleaded guilty.
Savenaca Damuni this week appeared before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere and admitted to a count of manslaughter arising from breach of duty.
It is alleged that he failed to take necessary precautions by allowing his six-year-old son to stand on the blade of a forklift while it was in operation, and as a result, the child fell over and came under the forklift, which caused his death.
Vinay Prakash Chandra and Shushila Devi, directors of Raviravi Investment Timber & Hardware (PTE) Ltd, have denied a charge of corporate manslaughter with which they are jointly charged.
The two are alleged to have allowed Mr Damuni, their employee, to operate the forklift despite knowing that he did not hold a valid driver’s licence to operate an industrial truck, and such negligence contributed to the death of the child.
The incident occurred on May 2, 2023.
The summary of facts for Mr Damuni will be read out on June 11, and bail for all three individuals has been extended until then.
