A member of the Grace Road Church, who recently managed to escape from True Mart in Navua, has made allegations against officials at the Fiji Immigration Department, claiming they were “paid off” while her husband and children departed the country. The woman expressed concerns that her four-year-old daughter, who is not a Fijian citizen, was issued an emergency Fijian passport without proper registration. She asserted that her husband, despite having an expired visa, was allowed to leave the country, raising suspicions about corruption within the immigration system.
In her statements, she emphasized that her husband had seemingly obtained the passport for their daughter in just one day, which she found inexplicable given their financial limitations. She described his situation, saying he is a purchasing officer with no substantial income and implied that he was not acting independently in this situation. The mother believes that there is a pattern of control exerted by the church over its members, suggesting that her husband may have been advised on how to escape with their children.
The Home Affairs and Immigration Minister, Pio Tikoduadua, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that he has offered to resign during the investigations concerning the unauthorized issuance of the children’s passports. He indicated that these passports were issued without the necessary approvals from immigration leadership, hinting at a significant breach of protocol.
Acting Police Commissioner Jukie Chew Fong has ordered a preliminary investigation to determine the extent of involvement from both the police and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption in this matter. Meanwhile, inquiries made to the Grace Road Group remained unanswered as the situation develops.
This distressing case highlights issues of governance and control within organizations and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding children’s welfare. The ongoing investigation provides hope for a resolution and accountability for any wrongdoing, potentially ensuring that such lapses do not happen again in the future. As the mother seeks to reunify with her children, her fight may draw attention to broader systemic issues requiring reform to protect vulnerable individuals.
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