Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Kava-Fueled Incident

A 28-year-old police officer has accepted a plea deal for manslaughter concerning the death of a man in Suva earlier this year. Fifita Toma Tawake admitted to the charge in the High Court of Suva before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, where his trial was set to commence.

On January 13, Tawake, along with friends, had been consuming kava at a local establishment before they drove home. As they approached traffic lights at Central St, a 47-year-old man attempted to cross the road at that moment when the lights turned red. The prosecutor, Simone Seruvatu, stated that the man tapped the back of Tawake’s vehicle to indicate that it had run the red light.

Frustrated and under the influence of kava, Tawake exited the vehicle and, without provocation, struck the man in the face. The victim fell hard to the pavement. After the incident, Tawake and a companion moved the injured man only to leave him exposed to the rain for approximately 40 minutes, ignoring his condition and dismissing bystanders’ concerns who attempted to help.

Witnesses later reported that Tawake told a passerby to mind his own business when they suggested the man needed assistance. Eventually, bystanders helped move the victim to safety from the rain. When police arrived, Tawake instructed them to take the man to the hospital, but tragically, he later died from serious head injuries at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

The case has been postponed until Wednesday for final arguments, and Justice Rajasinghe is anticipated to announce the sentencing on Friday.

This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by individuals, especially those in law enforcement, to act with accountability and consideration for others. While the incident is tragic, it opens the way for discussions about substance use, behavior enforcement, and the essential support for those affected by violence. The upcoming sentencing may also lead to greater awareness and preventive measures in similar situations in the future, underlining the importance of community mindfulness and safety.