Three former Corrections officers have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the manslaughter of Jone Masirewa, a remandee at Natabua Correction Centre in 2020. The High Court in Lautoka, presided by Justice Aruna Aluthge, delivered the ruling, marking the end of a case under intense scrutiny due to its implications for the correctional system.
The trio, Onisimo Raboiliku, Semesa Bulikalougata, and Navitalai Kanavo, were originally charged with murder. However, they were found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. At the time of the incident, Raboiliku held the position of Assistant Superintendent, with Bulikalougata and Kanavo under his supervision. The court found that under Raboiliku’s orders, they assaulted Masirewa, leading to his death from injuries sustained during the attack.
Masirewa, a remandee held in quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak, was reportedly beaten with a fire hydrant nozzle and subjected to punches and kicks. The court condemned this abuse of power, with Justice Aluthge highlighting the officers’ breach of public trust and the severe impact on the justice system’s integrity. After the assault, attempts were made to clean the crime scene, allegedly to destroy evidence.
In sentencing, Raboiliku received four years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years, while Bulikalougata and Kanavo each received three years with non-parole periods of 18 months. The Judge firmly denied requests for suspended sentences, emphasizing the need to send a definitive message against violence in correctional facilities.
This high-profile case underscores serious concerns regarding the treatment of inmates and calls for significant reforms within correctional institutions. The court’s decision reinforces the necessity for accountability and the ethical treatment of prisoners, serving as a cautionary tale for upholding human rights and dignity within the justice system. The convicted officers have 30 days to appeal the sentences, and this development may fuel further discussions on systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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