Tragic Night Out: Officer Pleads Guilty in Fatal Incident

A police officer, 28-year-old Fifita Toma Tawake, has admitted to manslaughter in the case of a man’s death in Suva earlier this year. Tawake entered his plea before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe at the High Court in Suva, where his trial was set to commence.

The incident happened on January 13, following a night of drinking kava with friends at JJ’s on the Park, now referred to as DeVos on the Park. While driving home, Tawake’s vehicle ran a red light as a 47-year-old man was crossing the street from the Westpac Bank to the Fiji Airways office. The victim lightly tapped the rear of Tawake’s car to indicate the traffic violation.

In a moment of frustration fueled by alcohol, Tawake exited his vehicle and, without any provocation, punched the man in the face. The impact caused the man to fall onto the concrete pavement. Tawake and a companion then moved the injured man to the corner near Westpac Bank and left him in the rain for approximately 40 minutes, ignoring bystanders’ concerns about his condition. Tawake reportedly dismissed a nearby worker who attempted to help, insisting the man was just unconscious.

Eventually, bystanders moved the victim to a safer location to protect him from the rain. When police arrived, Tawake instructed them to take the man to the hospital. Unfortunately, the victim later passed away due to severe head injuries at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

The case will continue with final submissions scheduled for Wednesday, and Justice Rajasinghe is anticipated to issue a sentence on Friday.

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of reckless behavior and the importance of accountability, especially for those in positions of responsibility like law enforcement. It underscores the need for greater awareness of the dangers of substance use and its impact on decision-making. While the outcome is unfortunate, it may prompt discussions about responsible conduct and the duties of police officers, potentially ushering in measures that can prevent such incidents in the future.