Three former prison officers have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the death of Jone Masirewa at the Natabua Correctional Centre in 2020. Onisimo Raboiliku, the most senior officer, received a four-year sentence with a two-year non-parole period. His colleagues, Semesa Bulikalogata and Navitalai Kanavo, were each sentenced to three years in prison, required to serve at least 18 months before being eligible for parole.
The case centered around Masirewa’s death following a brutal assault while he was in quarantine. Allegedly, the incident was sparked by Masirewa swearing at officers from his cell. In response, Raboiliku instructed his subordinates to “discipline” him, resulting in severe beatings, including Raboiliku striking Masirewa on the head with a metal object.
Although acquitted of murder, the trio was found guilty of manslaughter. High Court judge Justice Aruna Aluthge condemned the attack as a gross abuse of power and a significant breach of duty, emphasizing that the officers’ actions were premeditated rather than impulsive, exploiting Masirewa’s defenseless state. Raboiliku attempted to cover up the assault by cleaning the scene before investigators arrived.
In delivering the sentences, the court considered mitigating factors such as the men’s clean records and the five-year delay in proceedings. However, Justice Aluthge maintained that these factors did not excuse the officers’ failure to protect someone in their custody. Calls for suspended sentences were rejected, with Justice Aluthge underscoring the importance of the justice system sending a clear message against violence in custody.
This case highlights the necessity for accountability within correctional facilities and the enforcement of human rights for inmates. It underscores the broader implications for reform, promoting humane treatment and safeguarding rights within the justice system. The men have been granted 30 days to appeal their sentences.
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