The recent release of George Speight, who led the coup in 2000, and Shane Stevens, a former member of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit, has sparked diverse reactions from the public in Fiji.
Akeneta Naseka Seavula, the widow of Corporal Filipo Seavula, a police officer killed by rebels during the unrest, expressed her feelings on the matter. Despite the pain of losing her husband, Ms. Seavula and her family have chosen to forgive both Speight and the rebels involved. “We are all human beings. God Almighty encourages us to forgive those who have done you wrong,” she stated from her home in Nakasi, Nasinu.
Corporal Seavula lost his life while defending the nation during a standoff at a Draiba checkpoint when rebels overthrew the government led by Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
Reflecting on that fateful day, Ms. Seavula recounted the distressing moments, revealing that it was a Sunday when gunfire erupted near the Nasese Police Barracks where they lived. After a tense period, police informed her that her husband had died. “I was in shock. I didn’t cry until I saw my son Viliame coming down the stairs. That’s when it hit me, and I broke down,” she recalled. With three young children to care for, she found herself devastated but expressed gratitude for the support she received during her ordeal.
Her faith as a devout Catholic played a significant role in her ability to forgive. She has been carrying the Holy Rosary since 2000 and attributes her resilience to her prayers, which guided her in raising her children alone. “Even though what Mr. Speight did was wrong, God teaches us to forgive. And I forgive Mr. Speight, my family does too. Holding onto resentment stops you from moving forward. After losing Filipo, I learned to trust in God’s plan,” she noted.
Now a grandmother of six, Ms. Seavula recognizes the profound impact the 2000 coup has had on many lives but believes that forgiveness is essential for healing and rebuilding the nation.
The tragic death of Corporal Seavula on May 28, 2000, remains a significant moment in Fiji’s history, as it coincided with rebels attacking Fiji Television Limited, and Prime Minister Chaudhry and members of his Labour government were taken hostage at the Parliament complex for 56 days.