Former coup convict Josefa Nata has told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that despite the controversial role of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) Unit during the 2000 coup, its members prevented even worse atrocities from taking place, that included “the last cannibal feast” and planned assassinations that were aborted.
In a testimony before the commission, Nata painted a chaotic picture of events surrounding the hostage crisis at Parliament, claiming there had been discussions of extreme acts and widespread misconduct.
“Speaking of Ilisoni Ligairi and the CRW Unit, despite how they may have been negatively portrayed, if it had not been for them, worse things would have happened to those held hostage,” Nata said.
“There were talks of the last cannibal feast.
“There was merrymaking, revelry, debauchery and all sorts of chicanery, unbefitting the serious nature of a supposed struggle for improving the lot of the iTaukei,” he said.
According to Nata, the CRW Unit was abandoned by those who had allegedly orchestrated events from behind the scenes.
“The CRW Unit were left in the lurch carrying the baby. The masters did not show up.”
He alleged that one individual had been waiting at a hotel in Suva for developments but withdrew after the situation changed.
“There was a man sipping fruit cocktail at a hotel bar in Suva waiting for the call but retreated to his hole when a new face was on the TV screen.”
He claimed the actions of the CRW Unit helped prevent the destruction of Parliament House after the hostages were released.
“Had it not been for them, Parliament House would have been torched to the ground when it was vacated.
“We were the last to leave when Col Jone Baledrokadroka entered with his squad.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the 2000 coup, Nata rejected any attempt to portray those involved as heroes.
“I want to demystify the myths. I want to destroy the false notion of the nobility of the events of 2000 that made us coup makers of 2000 as some kind of heroes in the heart and eyes of indigenous iTaukei.
“If anything, we were misguided fools.”
Nata further argued that the concept of matanitu vanua, which later gave rise to a political party formed in 2001, was built on flawed assumptions.
“The concept of the matanitu vanua which gave rise to the formation of a political party in 2001 was founded on false premises which were current at the time,” he said.
“They were blinkered, parochial and unworkable.”
The testimony forms part of the TRC’s ongoing efforts to examine the causes and consequences of Fiji’s political upheavals and promote national reconciliation.
