Lynda Tabuya, the former Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, will learn her future with the People’s Alliance (PA) party within the next 21 days. This decision comes following a meeting of the party’s executive committee at their headquarters in Suva to formalize her disciplinary hearing.
Ms. Tabuya is currently undergoing a second disciplinary review. Earlier this year, she faced scrutiny regarding allegations connected to a scandal involving a fellow minister, which resulted in her removal as the party’s deputy leader. The party previously stated that the scandal had the potential to cause “irreparable damage” to its reputation.
The recent issues for Ms. Tabuya emerged after a video surfaced on Christmas Eve, which showed her dancing nude, a recording she confirmed as genuine. She explained that the video was meant for her ex-husband, Robert Semaan, from whom she divorced in 2016, as per the FICAC investigation. Following the video’s leak, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka dismissed her from her ministerial position on December 26. Notably, Mr. Rabuka participated in the recent executive committee meeting via virtual attendance from Savusavu.
The disciplinary process will be guided by the party’s constitution, as confirmed by PA’s general secretary, Sila Balawa. The committee has three weeks to complete its inquiries and present findings and recommendations, ensuring the process remains impartial, with protections in place for both integrity and privacy. Ms. Tabuya will have the chance to share her perspective during this time.
The members of the current disciplinary committee have not been publicly named, although the previous one included notable figures such as Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo and was chaired by Alefina Vuki.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges political figures face in maintaining public trust and integrity, particularly in the age of social media, where private moments can quickly enter the public domain. It also underscores the importance of due process within political parties to address allegations responsibly.
In summary, Lynda Tabuya’s future with the People’s Alliance party hangs in the balance as they navigate a complex disciplinary process, with an emphasis on fairness and transparency as they work towards a resolution. This incident serves as a reminder of the profound influence of public scrutiny in political careers.
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