JESE Saukuru has been reinstated as Fiji’s Minister for Youth and Sports after investigations found no criminal wrongdoing in allegations tied to travel and contra arrangements with the Fiji Sports Council (FSC), Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed.
“Investigations into Mr Saukuru have been completed, all matters administratively corrected,” Mr Rabuka told this newspaper, saying that nothing criminal had been uncovered. The prime minister also said the report concerning FSC chief executive Gilbert Vakalalabure is now before the Fiji Sports Council board.
Saukuru was removed from Cabinet on March 7, 2026 after allegations emerged of abuse of office and misuse of funds related to travel arrangements linked to a grassroots sevens tournament in New Zealand. Questions centred on claims that the FSC arrangement had covered business-class airfares, including those for Mr Saukuru’s wife and for the wife of Mr Vakalalabure.
Police had earlier confirmed an official complaint was lodged involving both Saukuru and Vakalalabure and said investigators would cooperate with the Office of the Auditor‑General as part of inquiries. The prime minister’s statement indicates those lines of inquiry have now concluded with no criminal charges recommended in Saukuru’s case, although administrative corrections were made.
Saukuru had publicly signalled his readiness to remedy any improper payments, saying he would repay his wife’s airfare if questions arose about the travel arrangement. He was dismissed by Mr Rabuka a month after making that comment; his reinstatement reverses that decision following the outcome of the probe.
The matter regarding FSC CEO Gilbert Vakalalabure remains unresolved administratively: Mr Rabuka said the report on Vakalalabure has been submitted to the Fiji Sports Council for consideration. The board is expected to review the material and determine the next steps for the council’s leadership and governance. With Saukuru’s criminal liability cleared, attention in the sports and public‑sector oversight communities will now shift to the FSC board’s handling of its CEO’s file and any further administrative or disciplinary actions.