A member of the GRACE Road Church who escaped from True Mart in Navua is raising serious allegations against the Fiji Immigration Department. She claims that officials may have been “paid off to look the other way” while her husband and children left the country. The woman reports that her non-Fijian daughter was issued an emergency Fijian passport, while her husband departed the country despite having an expired visa.
She expressed her concerns regarding her husband’s ability to pay for the journey, asserting that he could not afford it because of his position as a purchasing officer at one of the organization’s local restaurants and shops. Moreover, she believes there were outside influences guiding her husband in this action, suggesting a pattern of behavior among members of the GRACE Road community.
The situation escalated when she learned that both her children—aged four and 13—had been taken without her permission or knowledge. The woman is determined to fight for the return of her children to their normal lives.
In response to these serious allegations, Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Pio Tikoduadua has offered to step down while investigations are launched into the inappropriate issuance of passports to the children. He indicated that the passports were issued without his knowledge or the authorization of senior officials in the Immigration Department, constituting a significant breach of protocol.
Acting Police Commissioner Jukie Chew Fong has initiated a preliminary investigation to determine whether the Fiji Police Force or the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption will be involved in further inquiries.
The Fiji community is closely watching developments in this case, especially as it raises questions about internal oversight in government agencies. This situation underscores the importance of ensuring accountability within immigration processes to protect the rights of children and families.
In a hopeful note, there is a renewed focus on the need for transparency and proper procedures within immigration authorities. With ongoing investigations, it is possible that necessary reforms will emerge from this situation, reinforcing the integrity of the immigration system and providing justice for families affected by such actions.
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