Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner who is currently imprisoned for abuse of office, is facing a new investigation into comments he made after the 2022 General Election. The focus of the investigation is on claims made by Qiliho in December 2022 regarding alleged instability and violence following the elections.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa confirmed to Fiji Sun that the allegations pertain to Qiliho’s statements about unverified reports of stoning incidents and vandalism, which are now under scrutiny. “We confirm that there is an investigation regarding the statement issued alleging the stoning incident and vandalism,” ACP Waqa stated.
On December 21, 2022, a week after the elections, Qiliho announced that the police had received unconfirmed reports of stoning incidents, although individuals reporting these incidents chose not to file official complaints. He later ordered the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to conduct a detailed investigation into vandalism in the area.
The following day, December 22, Qiliho declared that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would assist the police in maintaining law and order due to rising threats against minority groups following the electoral results. He expressed concerns about increasing racial tension, noting an agreement for RFMF personnel to support police efforts.
The situation took a turn when former Police Chief of Operations Abdul Khan resigned on December 23, citing personal reasons. Reports suggest that his resignation was connected to disagreements concerning the decision to involve the RFMF in police operations.
RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai recently addressed the delicate situation following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging the potential for destabilization within the RFMF. He emphasized efforts to engage the RFMF while reaffirming their commitment to preventing further unrest.