The recent release of George Speight, the leader of the 2000 coup, and Shane Stevens from prison has prompted a range of reactions across Fiji. One individual deeply affected by the events of that time is Akeneta Naseka Seavula, the widow of Corporal Filipo Seavula, a police officer who was killed by rebels at a Draiba checkpoint during the unrest.
Despite the pain of her loss, Ms. Seavula and her family have chosen to forgive Speight and the rebels after 24 years. “We are all human beings. God Almighty encourages us to forgive those who have done you wrong,” she expressed from her home in Nakasi, Nasinu.
Corporal Seavula was shot during a confrontation between rebel soldiers and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces while trying to protect the nation after the overthrow of the Fiji Labour Party-led government under Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
Reflecting on the events of that fateful day, Ms. Seavula recounted her experience. “It was a Sunday, and we were living at the Nasese Police Barracks,” she said, recalling the moment when the gunfire began shortly after her husband left for duty. “Everyone was told to take cover,” she added, describing the chaos that ensued as military trucks and sirens flooded the area. An hour later, the devastating news arrived: Corporal Seavula 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 remembered, reflecting on the challenges of raising her three young children alone after such a loss.
Ms. Seavula, a devout Catholic, cited her faith as a source of strength. She has held on to the Holy Rosary since 2000, using prayer as a means to cope with her grief. “Even though what Mr. Speight did was wrong, God teaches us to forgive. And I forgive Mr. Speight, my family does too,” she stated. She believes that clinging to resentment hinders personal progress and emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s plan. Now a grandmother of six, she understands the long-lasting effects of the 2000 coup on many lives but advocates for forgiveness as a pathway to healing and national rebuilding.
The death of Corporal Seavula on May 28, 2000, is remembered as one of the darkest chapters in Fiji’s history. On that same day, rebels stormed Fiji Television Limited, and Prime Minister Chaudhry, along with members of his government, endured a 56-day hostage situation in the Parliament complex.