Police are set to investigate a sexual harassment complaint made by a contestant of the Miss Hibiscus pageant. Ana Naisoro, a spokesperson for the police, confirmed that a report was filed at the Totogo Police Station on Friday, with an inquiry currently in progress.
The allegations surfaced last week when a contestant disclosed to the Fiji Sun that she was allegedly ‘groped’ by a guest during the crowning night event on September 7. This incident prompted the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, to initiate an internal investigation to ascertain the facts of the case.
Nalumisa stated that a team is actively looking into the matter, emphasizing the need for professionalism to ensure the safety and integrity of all contestants. He expressed his intention to fully understand the events that transpired that night and expected the investigation to conclude within the week.
In a prior communication, Nalumisa had reached out to Tevita Boseiwaqa, the chairperson of the Suva City Council’s special administration who is also part of the investigative team. The complainant has formally reported the incident to the police, initially considering waiting for a witness to return from abroad before filing her complaint. However, after discussions with her family, she decided to proceed without further delay.
The contestant alleged that she was jabbed on the back by a man who appeared to be intoxicated, and she immediately reported the incident to event organizers. Nalumisa noted that consuming alcohol is never an acceptable justification for such misconduct.