Tanya Waqanika, a lawyer based in Suva, has confirmed that she was questioned by the Fijian Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) regarding a social media post she made in April of the previous year. The inquiry was initiated after a complaint from Viliame Takayawa, the former general secretary of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), was referred to FICAC by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa.
Waqanika explained that her Facebook post, dated around April 16 or 19, addressed the struggles faced by SODELPA following its annual general meeting, particularly after Aseri Radrodro was no longer a Cabinet minister. During the interview, she was informed she had potentially breached Section 14D of the Fijian Political Parties Act 2013, which prohibits public officers from publicly indicating support for or opposition to any proposed political party.
In her defense, Waqanika stated that she did not view her comments as support or opposition to SODELPA, but merely as observations regarding its situation. “All I said is the demise of SODELPA. And everybody talks about it,” she remarked.
She also expressed concerns about the handling of complaints by the Fijian Elections Office, recalling a more systematic approach by previous officials. Waqanika noted that she previously received notifications regarding complaints, allowing her to respond accordingly. This change in process, she highlighted, raises questions about transparency and fairness in the current handling of such complaints.
Overall, this situation underscores the complexities of political commentary within the legal frameworks governing public officers in Fiji and emphasizes the ongoing discussions about the role of social media in political discourse.
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