Police are investigating a complaint of alleged sexual harassment made by a contestant from the Miss Hibiscus pageant. On Friday, a report was filed at the Totogo Police Station, and authorities have confirmed that an investigation is currently in progress.
The allegations emerged last week when a contestant reported being ‘groped’ by a guest during the crowning night event on September 7. The incident has drawn the attention of the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, who has called for an internal inquiry into the claims.
Mr. Nalumisa stated that a dedicated investigative team is assessing the situation to uncover the truth about what transpired that night. He emphasized the importance of professionalism to protect the interests of all pageant contestants, assuring that the investigation will seek to clarify the events.
He expects the investigation to be wrapped up within the week. Previously, Mr. Nalumisa reached out to Tevita Boseiwaqa, the Suva City Council special administration chairperson and a member of the investigative team, to discuss the matter.
The contestant has formally filed a complaint with the police and had initially planned to wait for a witness returning from abroad before proceeding. However, after discussions with her family, she decided to file her complaint without any further delay.
The contestant claims that she was jabbed on the back by a man who appeared to be intoxicated and that she immediately reported the incident to event officials. Mr. Nalumisa remarked that alcohol should never serve as an excuse for improper behavior.