Police are investigating an alleged sexual harassment complaint made by a contestant in the Miss Hibiscus pageant. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that a report was filed at the Totogo Police Station last Friday, and an investigation is currently underway.
The allegations of inappropriate conduct surfaced last week when a contestant claimed she was groped by a guest at the event during the crowning night on September 7. This revelation caught the attention of Maciu Nalumisa, the Minister for Local Government, who has ordered an internal inquiry into the claims.
Minister Nalumisa stated that a dedicated team is looking into the incident to uncover the truth about what transpired that night. He emphasized the importance of professionalism to protect the interests of all contestants, stating, “We will get to the bottom and find out what really happened.” He expects the investigation to conclude this week.
Last week, Nalumisa reached out to Tevita Boseiwaqa, the chairperson of the Suva City Council special administration, who is also part of the investigation team. The contestant has formally filed her complaint with police, having initially planned to wait for a witness returning from abroad before proceeding. However, after discussions with her family, she decided to report the incident promptly.
The contestant alleges that a man, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, jabbed her in the back. She asserts that she informed event officials about the incident immediately afterward. Minister Nalumisa remarked that alcohol consumption should not be used as an excuse for inappropriate behavior.