SODELPA Suva Officials Plead Not Guilty in Criminal Intimidation Case Tied to Takayawa

SODELPA Suva officials plead not guilty to criminal intimidation in court; Takayawa’s own alleged threat noted

Two SODELPA officials in Suva have pleaded not guilty to criminal intimidation in connection with an incident that allegedly targeted the party’s general secretary, Viliame Takayawa, in 2024. Amoni Kepa and Apenisa Turaga had their pleas recorded before Magistrate Charles Ratakele as the case was raised in court yesterday. The pair are accused of threatening Takayawa at the party office on February 22, 2024. Police prosecutor Sharmila Lata told the court that the men did not make admissions during their caution interviews. Bail for Kepa and Turaga was extended, and the case has been adjourned to November 18.

In a related development, Takayawa is charged separately with threatening Kepa and Turaga by allegedly saying, “Get out of my office,” during the same incident. His plea is scheduled to be recorded on September 4. All three men face a charge of criminal intimidation.

This case adds to ongoing discussions about conduct within political parties and the accountability of public figures. The court process will determine how these allegations are resolved and may influence perceptions of discipline and decorum within Fiji’s political landscape. The judiciary’s management of these proceedings continues to emphasize due process and the rule of law, with future hearings aimed at bringing clarity to the matter.

Fijian summary
Veivakadonaboko ena Vosa Vakaviti

Na itukutuku oqo e baleta na itavi ni SODELPA kina veivakadonui e Suva. O Amoni Kepa kei Apenisa Turaga e tukuna sara ga ni ra yalodina na nodra vakadonui ki na veikasivi ni veika vakaloloa vei Viliame Takayawa ena 2024. Sa vakadonuya na nodra ivakamacala o Ratakele kei na kena curu ki veiqaravi. Sa qai torovi na bailea ki nodra caka vakadodonu, ka sa rauni ki Novema 18 na vuli ni itukutuku. E dua tale na i tukutuku o Takayawa, ni sa vakatara me baleta ki Kepa kei Turaga na “Kua mai vei au na no qumu” ena gauna e vakovinakata mai kina. Na nonai volai ena Septema 4. E tolu na tamata era vakadonuya ena cala ni CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION.

Na macala tale ga, na vakanananu ni veivosoti me baleta na veitabana ena vica na veiyalo kece e vakaraitaki ena itu ni palagi. Na itukutuku oqo e vakamatatataki kina na bibi ni delin eka ni veika vakalou, ka na vakarautaki kina na ivakarau ni veiqaravi vakalou kei na kena vakavinakataki na veika e baleta na veiliutaki vakalotu ena noda vanua. Na matavuvale ni yaco mai na loma ni tikina vakailavo e vakadomoka kina na rawati ni nodra veivakadonui kei na ituvaki ni veika e baleta na veika vata kei na veika vakalou kina.

Additional context
– The case sits within broader discussions about accountability in Fiji’s public and political spheres, a theme echoed in recent coverage of other high-profile legal actions involving former government officials.
– As hearings progress, observers will be watching for how due process and lawful conduct within party operations influence public trust and governance.

Note: If you’d like, I can add a brief explainer box on what constitutes criminal intimidation in Fiji and how such charges are typically handled in court to give readers extra context.