A year after a mother lost her daughter in a horrific Ferris wheel incident at the annual Fiji Showcase event, Sunita Wati is still waiting for justice.
Ms. Wati has been praying daily that those responsible for her daughter Kamal Kavita Kumar’s death will be held accountable. Adding to her anguish, Ms. Wati’s husband passed away a few months later. Life has become unbearable for their family in Dilkusha, Nausori.
She claimed her husband’s silent suffering from the pain led to his death.
“But I pray justice will prevail. I won’t stop seeking answers,” Ms. Wati said through tears. “I just want justice for my daughter.”
On June 30 last year, 21-year-old Kamal died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) from injuries she suffered after falling off the Ferris wheel. The incident also seriously injured two other people who were with Kamal.
Since the incident, the police, Ministry of Employment, Ministry of Public Works, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) have been involved in the investigation. One year later, no one has been charged.
Last month, the ODPP stated that after a comprehensive analysis of the file, they sent a letter to the Director CID and the Ministry of Employment on January 4, 2024, with recommendations that the police complete their parallel investigation and submit the file for further evidence analysis. While the decision on any potential charges rests with the ODPP, they have yet to receive any corresponding file from the police.
The ODPP is currently waiting for a full police report and completed investigation.
This publication understands the owner of the Ferris wheel company has left the country.
Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, said he understood the family’s concern and would ensure necessary action was taken. “Let me follow through with CID. I need to know how far the investigation has gone,” he said. “I understand the family’s concern. I have to talk to the Police Commissioner on the progress of the investigation.”
Fearing for the safety of Fijians, event and festival organizers have since chosen not to include Ferris wheels in their events.
Yesterday at their family home in Dilkusha, Nausori, Ms. Wati is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her daughter, the youngest of her four children. Still coping with the pain of the tragic accident, Ms. Wati vows to stay strong for her remaining children and grandchildren.
“I don’t need money, I just want justice for my daughter. That’s it,” she said. “Komal loved to put on make-up and dress herself up.”
Officers visited her home last month but with no solid updates on the investigation’s progress. “She would have been here today, married and fulfilling her dreams, but she’s gone,” Ms. Wati said.