Lynda Tabuya, the former Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, is awaiting a decision regarding her future with the People’s Alliance (PA) party, which is expected within the next 21 days. This announcement follows a meeting held yesterday by the party’s executive committee at their headquarters in Suva to formally initiate her disciplinary hearing.
This marks Ms. Tabuya’s second disciplinary assessment within the party. Earlier this year, she faced scrutiny due to allegations relating to a sex and drug scandal involving another minister, resulting in her removal as the party’s deputy leader. In March, the party publicly condemned the scandal, asserting that it had caused “potentially irreparable damage” to its reputation.
The current situation is sparked by a controversial video that surfaced on Christmas Eve, showing Ms. Tabuya dancing nude, a clip she has confirmed as genuine. She asserts that the video was meant for her then-husband, Robert Semaan, from whom she divorced in 2016, according to an investigation by FICAC. On December 26, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka dismissed her from her ministerial position, and he participated in the recent executive committee meeting via video call from Savusavu.
The PA’s general secretary, Sila Balawa, has stated that the disciplinary process will be conducted in line with the party’s constitution and aims to be independent in nature, ensuring integrity and confidentiality. Ms. Tabuya will have the chance to defend herself during this process. The disciplinary committee has 21 days to complete its review and present its findings.
While the identities of the current disciplinary committee members remain undisclosed, past members included notable figures such as Filimoni Vosarogo and Alefina Vuki.
This scenario highlights the significance of transparency and accountability within political institutions, as the People’s Alliance navigates a challenging situation while striving to maintain its reputation and uphold its principles. It remains to be seen how the findings will unfold, but it is essential for the party to handle the matter with diligence and fairness.
Overall, this situation presents an opportunity for the People’s Alliance to reaffirm its commitment to integrity and to demonstrate a fair approach to handling controversies. The outcome of the hearing could potentially lead to stronger protocols and clearer guidelines to avoid such incidents in the future.
Leave a comment