Former coup convict Josefa Jo Nata has told the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission that while he accepts responsibility for his role in the events of May 2000, he rejects the court’s description of him as one of the masterminds of the coup.
In his submission to the Commission, Nata said he readily accepted the consequences of his actions, including serving 24 years in prison, but maintained he was not involved in planning or executing the takeover of Parliament.
“The Court branded me as one of the masterminds of the events of May 19, 2000. This is a dubious honour I readily and unreservedly declined,” Nata said.
“That honour belongs elsewhere. I never was involved in any communication, planning, meeting, execution of the 2000 event.”
Nata recounted how he followed events unfolding on May 19 from his office through radio broadcasts before learning that Parliament had been stormed.
He said he began receiving calls from an MP inside Parliament describing the situation and the involvement of members of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
Nata revealed that he had prior knowledge that something was going to happen but did not report it to authorities.
“I started to think deeply of the precarious situation I was in; that I had some knowledge of what was to take place and I did not report it.”
He said he later received an urgent call informing him that a female minister he had warned earlier that morning was inside Parliament.
“Either she did not get the message, I thought, or she got it and ignored it or her staff felt it was a crank call and did not take it seriously.”
Nata said he travelled to Parliament with former athlete Viliame Saulekaleka, arriving around 3pm, where he encountered several prominent figures outside the complex before eventually being allowed inside.
He described the atmosphere within Parliament as chaotic and disorganised.
“I started to ask questions and made suggestions. More questions and more suggestions. I saw that things were in total disarray.”
Nata said that without realising it, he became increasingly involved in the unfolding events.
“Without realizing it, I was getting myself involved.”
He said his role eventually included administering the oath of office during the swearing-in before then usurper-appointed President Ratu Jope Senololi and engaging with international media and diplomats.
Reflecting on the events more than two decades later, Nata described the episode as absurd.
“I think back now, the whole charade was a burlesque of Pygmalion proportion.”
Nata’s testimony forms part of ongoing hearings by the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission examining the circumstances and impacts of Fiji’s coups.
