Political interference in the Fiji Police Force was a norm during former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s reign. And police officers who did not agree with his orders did not dare raise their voice out of fear that they would lose their jobs.
This is the testimony of Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu when he took the stand in the High Court in Suva yesterday in a case where Mr Bainimarama and former COMPOL Sitiveni Qiliho are accused of the unlawful sacking of two police officers between May 21 and August 18, 2021.
Having served the force for over 40 years, Mr Tudravu was appointed acting COMPOL when Qiliho was studying in the UK.
When asked by the State about his experience working with Mr Bainimarama, he said the work environment was not good.
He said he was unaware that on May 21 that year, Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Constable Tomasi Naulu had taken pictures of Mr Bainimarama’s brother, Jonacani, who he said was known to be involved in drugs.
The officers had uploaded Jonacani’s photo on a police Viber group chat, and the next morning, Mr Tudravu said he received a Viber call from an angry Mr Bainimarama.
He mentioned that Mr Bainimarama was using foul language and instructed the removal of the officers responsible for posting Jonacani’s photo.
Mr Tudravu said he was caught off guard because he was unaware of the May 21 incident and was shocked at the tone of the former PM.
He responded that he would look into the matter and instructed Director CID Serupepeli Neiko to record Jonacani’s statement before directing the officers to be interdicted with half-pay pending a tribunal hearing.
The tribunal convened on May 23, but because “of the pressure coming from the former PM,” Mr Tudravu directed a quick investigation and fast-tracked the tribunal.
When asked why he didn’t just terminate the officers, he said it would be unlawful because they would need to go through the tribunal process. Mr Tudravu said he updated the former PM via a Viber message on the actions taken.
The tribunal found the two officers guilty on July 28, and Mr Tudravu endorsed the recommended disciplinary action and the outcomes posted on the forces’ weekly Force Routine Orders.
On the same day (August 4), Mr Tudravu received a Viber message from the former PM asking about the outcomes.
When told, Mr Tudravu said Mr Bainimarama became angry and demanded the officers be terminated, saying, “It’s either them or you have to resign”.
He said to protect the process, procedure and the integrity of his office and the PM’s, he was unwilling to reverse the decision.
Mr Bainimarama maintained he needed to resign because he couldn’t follow orders.
Mr Tudravu said despite pleading that he had a few months before his contract ended, Mr Bainimarama said he needed to tender his resignation.
He said he couldn’t believe such action was taken against him, given the years he served in the force. When the defence questioned him on why he did not take screenshots of the Viber messages between him and the PM or take diary notes, he replied, “Why should I?” He explained that he viewed the discussion as merely a “transparent discussion” and did not suspect any hidden agenda.
On August 11, 2021, Mr Tudravu said he handed in his resignation letter to Qiliho, who resumed the post as commissioner on August 6. He said Qiliho told him that he “should have just listened to Bainimarama”.
He emotionally shared how the force did not farewell him, and that “over a coffee, I just packed and left”.
Despite facing a lot, Mr Tudravu said he has forgiven the two men.
The trial continues on August 18.