The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has initiated an internal investigation following the unauthorized removal of a pistol from its armory at the Blackrock Camp in Nadi on September 25. The stolen weapon, identified as a U.S. 9mm M9 Beretta, was taken without permission by an air-conditioning technician named Sitiveni Tavakece from Solovi, Nadi.
Last week, Tavakece was sentenced to prison by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court after he pleaded guilty to theft. The stolen pistol has since been returned to the RFMF.
In a statement, an RFMF spokesperson emphasized the organization’s commitment to addressing the security breach and reassured the public that this incident is an isolated case. The spokesperson confirmed that other items had also gone missing from the camp and stated, “The RFMF acknowledges the incident that took place at the Blackrock Camp and is conducting its internal investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the disappearance of the weapon.”
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, has reassured the public that all RFMF firearms are stored in secure armories. He recognized the serious implications of such an incident, stating that measures are being implemented to prevent recurrence. “It is sad to say it has happened, and we’re fixing the process to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he noted.
Regarding Tavakece’s sentencing, the Nadi Magistrate’s Court ordered him to serve nine months and 19 days in jail for unlawfully taking the pistol valued at $1,500, along with three souvenir medals belonging to the RFMF. He faced charges of two counts of theft and one count of possession of arms without a license.
The M9 Beretta, which was the item in question, is a semi-automatic pistol used by the United States Armed Forces since its adoption in 1985. It features a 15-round magazine and is designed for both right and left-handed shooters.