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THIEVES, WHAT THIEVES?: Minister for National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu says some of the officials were wearing some of the clothes as a joke in the video posted on Fijileaks - what are these chaps up to?

29/5/2016

21 Comments

 
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It was nothing sinister, just sorting of relief items - Seruiratu
 
Minister for National Disaster Management Inia SeruiratuMinister for National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu has today confirmed that they have verified information from video footage posted on social media and carried out an investigation on whether some personnel are tampering with Cyclone Winston relief items sent from abroad.

Seruiratu says the video posted on Facebook was taken at the old Government Supplies site in Lautoka where the sorting out of relief items is taking place.

The video posted on Facebook shows a private truck loaded with boxes and a SUV parked next to the truck.
Some officials are seen opening the boxes, and then taking out clothes.

A person in civilian clothes is also seen trying out some clothes from the boxes while another person is seen taking some items to the front. 

Seruiratu says he contacted the divisional commissioners and the Commissioner Western has confirmed the video was taken at the Lautoka site.

He says the Commissioner Western has carried out an investigation and confirmed that the sorting out process was done openly and some of the officials were wearing some of the clothes as a joke.

Seruiratu says he has been told by the Commissioner Western that none of the items were stolen by the officers.

When questioned by Fijivillage, Seruiratu confirms that they have a repackaging process if it is necessary.

This is being done at Walu Bay and other official delivery centres.

Seruiratu says repacking of items takes place when the cartons are damaged.

It is also done if they cannot ascertain what is in the sealed boxes.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro says no official complaint has been lodged and since it is a post on social media that would need to be verified.

Naisoro says those who know something that could assist police are requested to call the nearest police station.

FICAC also says that they are looking into the matter. Source: Fijivillage News

21 Comments
Socho
28/5/2016 12:15:20 am

So just what kind of joke was this- after one of the most severe and tragic natural disasters in Fiji? I see nothing funny in it,
One thing I do know is that government officials, including the gang from the army, are not above thieving from what is meant for ordinary citizens. In so far as disaster relief is concerned that thieving has been going on since Ratu Mara's PM's Hurricane Fund days. Then even government ministers access that fund!!
I suspect not much has changed since Bainimarama's " clean up " takeover.

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Cleaners get going
29/5/2016 02:14:40 am

Was the SUV officially involved in cloths distribution or cloths sorting business? If not why were the boxes and cloths loaded in it?

Is it the Minister himself is involved?

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Marika Bukabalabala link
30/5/2016 03:32:09 am

What kind of sorting was taking place. Some goes into the drivers side, some goes to the nearby car, some goes to the other bags and boxes. they should just admit they were trying to steal, easy.

Builder
28/5/2016 12:20:55 am

Sorting out the goods on a fully loaded truck? Jesus! When will these jokers end the charade. If they want to steal relief items, let them be men enough to admit it. After all, their bosses are cooks too, so no one will do any harm to them. Kai, Qili, Kai and FICAC will protect them.

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Dekho
28/5/2016 07:46:29 am

What the Mnister says is just a cover up as is the commissioner western's " investigation" after the thieving got exposed in the social media.

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Kelevi Roqica
28/5/2016 08:47:38 pm

It's beyond me why the minister try to defend the action of those guy's been caught and exposed . Just apologize to the buplic and admit that you have problems in your own rank. It costs us lots of money and effort to send those container to fiji because we love the people who have been effected

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Ktab
28/5/2016 09:20:23 pm

Heartless idiots.....these items donated in good hearts from abroad who genuinely cared about Fiji and you go and wear them "just for joke".....???????? WTF....

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On-Song
29/5/2016 03:30:00 am

Caught with their pants down sneaking a change to relief supplies!!
When goodies, lots of good goodies and lots of good money arrive, the level of greed just soars locally; beginning from the top spiralling its way downwards to those lower tiers and CORRUPTION thrives. No one bothers to try on clothes, and there was just heaps and heaps of them, for a joke of a photo-shoot Mr Minister & Mr Commissioner - you're all just thick as thieves!!....shameful acts for all local and overseas donors to witness. Govt. also needs to properly account for all those $millions donated; lots of itchy fingers there too!!@$%#!

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franklyspeaking
29/5/2016 04:33:58 am

Is this a smoking gun? Maybe, maybe not. The problem for the RFMF gang is we all remember the promise in Dec 2006 that no-one would benefit from the coup. Soon after, they were all trying on top jobs in the civil service, just like these guys trying on the new gear in the relief supplies. Sorry guys, no-one is going to give you the benfit of any doubt anymore.

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Kai Tovata link
29/5/2016 07:00:40 am

Dekho and Caleb should know that the job of sorting out relief items as we saw on the video is normally carried out by civil servants until Minister Seruvatu in his own wisdom recently decided that soldiers were more able and trustworthy than the Divisional Commissioner's own District Administration staff to competently handle this task.
So the Minister is not only trying to justify his stupid decision to bring in soldiers to replace civil servants in the work they have been trained over the years to do,he also has to defend his wife,who happens to be the first lady Chief of Staff at RFMF Headquarters,who must have twisted her husband Minister's arms to keep her " underemployed" soldiers on Government payroll,doing the work best suited for civil servants to handle.
Just like when Bai and Kai were trying to defend brother in law Kean for continuing to draw his Navy Commander 's salary and leave entitlements ,paid for by the poor taxpayers of our beloved Fiji,during his 18 months imprisonment for manslaughter/murder conviction.

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Aaraam se link
29/5/2016 11:43:02 am

The Minister Seruratu thought that he could sweep this one under the carpet too.His use of the words "nothing sinister" and joke has tarnished the Minister's credibility.His attempt had been a feeble one and further exposed that Fiji's military indeed is full of Thugs who do not even spare relief items sent and intended to go to the sick,weak,vulnerable and affected by TC Winston.The whole world now knows what Fiji's military is capable of and how low they can bend.Making matters worse,the Minister has made a fool of himself.In any other democracy,he would have been kicked out.Pathetic Inia Seruratu,you do not deserve to be there.You will long be remembered for this stupidity.And being a Military Officer you exposed what a coward you are-not accepting the offense committed and caught red handed.On FICAC investigations,nothing will come out of this Joker.

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Samjha
29/5/2016 09:50:33 pm

From dictatorship to democracy via a phoney election but nothing has changed in real terms. Fiji remains under Thug Rule with no real democratic accountability. Minister Inia Seruvatu is a classic representation of that rule.

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Thiefs in Common
30/5/2016 06:53:44 am

Maybe the SUV official vehicle was taking the loot to Chief of Staff at RFMF.

Social media is the place for such crimes getting exposed. Will the police not take active steps from public domain photos and wait for official catch by their Minister?

Not taking action simply means corruption.

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JAY
30/5/2016 05:04:48 am

"no official complaint has been lodged and since it is a post on social media that would need to be verified." SERIOUSLY NAISORO?? NEED TO BE VERIFIED WHEN IT IS THERE??... WHAT ELSE TOP BE VERIFIED HERE??............... OH MY GOD...

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Donation in Kind
30/5/2016 06:49:22 am

Do you RFMF now know why NZ & Aussie had started giving donation in kind and taking over the project based funding using their own contractors ever since 1989?

It was because the deposed government had argued that cash benefit will be used up by military and not be used for the purpose of the grant.

Good that new technology now exists that anyone can pretend to be answering a phone call and than take pictures when they see a misdemeanour is being committed by RFMF.

Also thank god that Victor is there to receive secret news from locals to publish them for good of all.

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Rustam
30/5/2016 08:48:16 am

Seeing is believing!!

The RFMF thugs in action and some are slumbering in denial.

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maropito
30/5/2016 09:15:52 am

NZ Prime Minister JOHN KEY visiting Fiji to meet the two thugs BAI and KAI

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Mrs M
30/5/2016 11:47:26 am

This is really disappointing to read (and watch). Why would anyone, rummage through donations and wear them "as a joke"? I don't even see any humour in it. Most of these donations came from Fijian communities living overseas. I personally had to ask people and groups for donations. Events were hosted, Fijian families went above and beyond for their beloved Fiji. The support was immense and I believe people gave, not just because of the disaster but because they knew what we Fijians were like. Some that donated shared that they knew a good friend (Fijian) who by his character alone, inspired them. Or they visited Fiji and loved the place but even more the people. After watching this video, I am appalled and embarrassed, knowing that people who donated would have probably watched this as well. Maybe this is just one incident, but it speaks volumes.

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Brig
30/5/2016 02:46:37 pm

Someone from Sydney, (masi polo vei Bainimarama squad), said after the election that Fiji deserves the government they voted for!!!.... I wonder what he'll be saying now!!!...

As for me, the Fiji Government is nothing but a "joke"... Vakamadua na butako!

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Dumb Native
1/6/2016 10:13:18 pm

Sa da tobo qai ta tukuna na LAMEST EXCUSE EVER, "some of the officials were wearing some of the clothes AS A JOKE".

Keda beka na gone?

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Dreksboy
29/5/2017 05:44:49 pm

What is the Minister preaching in church? So he's saying that there was nothing stolen?

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