Sexual offences SURESH CHAND NADI IT’S not getting any better as far as sexual attacks against children are concerned. A tragic case has emerged involving the alleged rape and sexual assault of a seven-yearold boy by four individuals, including two 17-year-olds. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) revealed the details in a recent report on sexual offences. The accused faces 11 counts of rape and three of sexual assault, tied to incidents spanning 2018 to 2023. While initially charged separately, their cases were combined, as all involved the same victim. The ODPP’s April 2026 report painted a grim picture, noting 17 indictments filed that month for 59 serious sexual crimes. Among the victims noted, 10 were minors. Some cases involved family abuse, like a 57-yearold charged with assaulting his young nieces. The report also highlighted challenges in prosecuting five cases due to insufficient evidence or unavailability of victims, though none were flagged as false reports. This underscores the long-term impact of such crimes and the need for proactive community efforts in protecting children. Schools, families, and community groups are urged to educate about rights and safety while fostering environments encouraging victims to speak out without fear. Collective action, education, and compassionate support are crucial to prevent and address these heinous acts.
Drua magic FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA WILL the magic spark of our Fijian Drua side reignite this weekend or will history repeat itself? Whatever one’s opinion, our performance this week will have a significant bearing on our goals of reaching the final playoffs. My fingers are crossed and am hoping for some Drua magic.
Girmit and fuel cost SUKHA SINGH LABASA THE Government could have skipped this year’s Girmit Celebration and used the money to stabilise the fuel costs. This year’s Girmit celebration and the first coup fall on the same date May 14. I wish someone can point out during the celebration speeches that the first landing of the Indians and the first coup of 1987 was also on May 14. Anyway, we are killing two birds with one stone.
Not role models AREKI DAWAI SUVA TELL them Wise Muavono (Model the way FT 13/5). The members of the Cabinet in this threewheeler Coalition Government are not leading by example and they are even way off from living a high degree worth of being role models for our children. What state of mind were our MPs tripping on then when they raised their own salaries over 130 per cent within their first year of service. Mr Muavono, I for one don’t even class our politicians as “role models” for Viti because politics have no relevant connection to morals.
Shaping a nation AVENAI SERUTABUA NABUKEBUKE VILLAGE, SERUA WISHING all Fijians a very happy Girmit Day. Today we honour and remember the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of the girmitiya ancestors who helped shape Fiji into the nation it is today. Their contribution to Fiji’s history, culture, agriculture, and development is deeply valued and respected. May this day be one of remembrance, pride, and unity for all.
Do not fear RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU THE Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu, delivered a strong assurance to the nation. He shed light on the positive relationship between the police and military and that crime fell by 19 per cent. He also requested members of the public not to fear, while requesting the public to stop online attacks on police. I salute the Police Commissioner for braving the press and coming out clean. Best wishes, Sir!
Trash talker trashed DONALD SINGH NAUSORI ARUN Prasad’s version of the message from the Dubois vs Wardley fight makes sense from his perspective (FT LTE 14/5). What made more sense to me was Fabio Wardley telling reporters before the fight that if Daniel Dubois weren’t a boxer he would be a bin man. Dubois had warned Wardley during the pre-fight presser that he had heard the bin man comment, and that he was going to “pick up that trash, boy”! So, getting up twice from the canvas, Dubois turned Wardley’s face into something unrecognisable. I enjoyed watching the beating of a trash talker. Wardley better not try invoking the rematch clause.
Joint forces SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI RFMF personnel noticed patrolling Nabua Topline ( FT 13/5/26 ). It is appreciated and applauded that our disciplinary joint force has been engaged, in my view. The military is acting on the Fiji people’s behalf, not on its own. With all that has been publicly witnessed regarding drug activities within our communities, I totally agree with the current joint operation at hand. The effects of drug also capture trespass, burglary, home invasion, prostitution, rape, family abuse, public disorder, etc in my opinion. Is it not a relief to have the military involved? Is it not doing its national duty? As patriots of Fiji, I believe that we have to provide any necessary information for the “drug war campaign”, to achieve maximum results. And I think everyone must choose the pain of regret or the pain of discipline. Let us always choose life.
The ultimate sacrifice RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU FIJI’S economic growth has been largely built on the hard work of the girmitiya and their descendants. Today, we enjoy what their labour built. We must remember them, not just the dead, but the living descendants who carry on their legacy. We must build unity and a fairer society — one which is based on equality, fairness, and justice. We must not allow policies that will segregate or discriminate the descendants of the indentured labourers who shed blood, sweat and tears to build a Fiji that we are proud of. The ordeals that the girmitiya went through 10- hour cane shifts, cramped lines, and sexual, emotional and physical abuse shaped Fiji’s destiny. I was born here, and I’m proud to be a Fiji-Indian. Born and bred in Savusavu, I’m proud that I can communicate with my iTaukei friends in Fijian and I understand them so well. The events, that transpired in 1879, were written in the stars. When the Leonidas was struck and Indians needed help, the iTaukei stepped forward and gave them support. Then why the discrimination and hatred now instigated by some who have other intentions? Let us not be fooled by these people. It is vital that we unite and join hands to move Fiji forward, putting aside land and religious issues. The story of the girmitiya should teach us about endurance, unity, and the human spirit. It should serve as a reminder of the importance of compassion, inclusion, and resilience in the face of adversity. I was touched by the front-page headline ‘A family history rooted in Girmit era’ and the story that followed it. Thank you The Fiji Times for shedding light on Girmit Day!
Democratic integrity RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA IN the foreword to Justice Kishore Govind’s book Politician, Judge & Jailbird: A Glimpse into the Life of Kishore Govind,OBE former editor of The Fiji Times Vijendra Kumar wrote that in a landmark speech that defined the Judiciary’s role after the 1987 military coup Justice Govind said: “Fiji has been a proud member of the comity of nations whose Constitution guarantees the unassailable rights and freedoms of its citizens. These human rights and freedoms were not magnanimously granted by anyone in authority and therefore retractable. These human rights are an inalienable birthright and therefore sacrosanct. Any government’s just function is to secure these rights. The Judiciary cannot and will not abdicate its solemn duty to protect the citizens of Fiji from misuse or abuse of power by those in authority. Arbitrary detention of people, however short, is so repugnant to the basic freedoms enjoyed by our citizens and to our ideas of the rule of law that any interferences with the liberty of our people must be subjected to the closest scrutiny. The courts will therefore act as a sentinel at all times to review and examine whether the limits set by the Constitution have been transgressed.” I believe the message from this “passionate, fearless and eloquent defender of the rule of law” (Vijendra Kumar’s words) remain as relevant in today’s Fiji as when they were first stated in 1987. We must heed the message to maintain the integrity of our democracy.
Who are the diggers? WISE MUAVONO HEDSTROM PL, BALAWA, LAUTOKA WHEN a utility company digs up a perfectly good road due to a broken main, who is obligated to retarseal it? The dug up portion along Drasa Avenue near the hospital roundabout that is now covered with crushed metal have been causing traffic jams the last few weeks. The concerned authority who seems to be in a laxity mode in re-tar-sealing it must also be suffering from procrastination syndrome which is a common condition in our beautiful Fiji. This stretch of road has not had a single pothole since it was resurfaced back in 2011 and is something our local wannabe road contractors should learn from or as we say in Lau, “draw lessons from.” Sobo!
