Three former corrections officers found guilty of manslaughter in Lautoka case, murder acquittals
The High Court in Lautoka acquitted three former corrections officers of murder but convicted them of manslaughter in connection with the death of prison inmate Jone Masirewa following alleged torture at the Natabua Correction Centre. Masirewa died on April 13, 2020, after officers were accused of subjecting him to brutal treatment during a disciplinary process.
During the trial, six witnesses testified. The two accused who spoke under oath were Onisimo Raboiliku and Semesa Bulikalougata; Navitalai Kanavo remained silent. Remandee Jone Nawalu testified that, on the morning of April 13, 2020, Raboiliku and Bulikalougata tortured Masirewa behind the remand centre, ordering Masirewa and Nawalu to roll on the ground as Bulikalougata kicked them with boots. Nawalu said Masirewa was repeatedly kicked for about four minutes while calling for help. He also claimed to have seen Raboiliku strike Masirewa on the head with the metal portion of a fire extinguisher hose for about two minutes.
State witness Suliasi Tubuna, a former corrections officer who testified with immunity, claimed Raboiliku ordered Masirewa drilled for disobedience. Tubuna said Bulikalougata and Kanavo carried out the blows during a drill exercise, with Kanavo slapping Masirewa and kicking him in the chest. Tubuna also noted that standard disciplinary measures do not authorize such violence.
In cross-examination, Raboiliku and Bulikalougata denied torturing Masirewa. Justice Aruna Aluthge, however, said that Raboiliku’s direction to kick Masirewa, coupled with his presence at the scene, indicated unlawful conduct that contributed to the death. The judge stressed that only properly established courts can impose punishment and that cruelty, inhumane treatment, or degrading punishment has no place in a civilised system. He underscored the fundamental right to freedom from torture, whether physical, mental, or emotional.
Kanavo’s role remained untested in open court as he did not testify, and a sentencing date has been set for August 25.
The verdicts come amid renewed calls for accountability and reforms in how inmates are managed in correctional facilities, with advocates emphasizing the need to uphold human rights and dignity within the justice system. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of inmate treatment and the standards governing disciplinary measures in correctional settings, underscoring a broader push for reform to prevent misconduct and improve safety for both inmates and staff.
Summary:
A High Court decision in Lautoka acquitted the trio of murder charges but found them guilty of manslaughter in the Masirewa case, underscoring concerns about torture and the treatment of inmates in correctional facilities. Sentencing is scheduled for August 25, and human rights protections and reforms are likely to remain central to ongoing discussions around the case.
Positive note:
The verdict reinforces the principle that violence and torture in custody are unlawful and subject to judicial accountability, offering a potential pathway for reforms that safeguard inmate rights and promote humane treatment across facilities.
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