Sitiveni Qiliho, the former police commissioner currently serving a sentence for abuse of office, is the subject of an investigation regarding statements he made following the 2022 General Election. The inquiry centers on his claims from December 2022, which suggested instances of instability and violence post-election.
Assistant Commissioner of Police for Crime, Mesake Waqa, confirmed to Fiji Sun that authorities are scrutinizing the allegations linked to Qiliho’s remarks, particularly those relating to unconfirmed reports of stoning incidents and vandalism.
“We confirm that there is an investigation regarding the statement issued alleging the stoning incident and vandalism,” ACP Waqa stated.
On December 21, 2022, just one week after the election, Qiliho noted that the police had received unverified reports of stoning incidents, even though the individuals reporting refused to file formal complaints. Following this, he directed the Divisional Crime Officer for the North to carry out a detailed investigation into the reported vandalism in the area.
The day after, Qiliho announced that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) would assist the police in maintaining law and order amid rising reports of threats against minority groups following the election results. He expressed concern about escalating racial tensions and mentioned an agreement for RFMF personnel to support police operations.
Tensions grew further with the resignation of former police chief of operations Abdul Khan on December 23, who cited personal reasons for his departure. However, sources indicated that Khan’s resignation was tied to disputes over the decision to involve the RFMF in police operations.
Recently, RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai addressed the challenging circumstances following the 2022 elections in a media interview, acknowledging the potential for instability within the RFMF. He emphasized the military’s efforts to mitigate unrest while remaining committed to ensuring public order.