Allegations are not true – Rev Ratabacaca

All Nations Church leader Reverend Epeli Ratabacaca, who is charged with one count of indecent assault and two counts of rape, has told the court that the allegations levelled against him are not true.

Reverend Ratabacaca told the court that the woman used to go to his office over the past five years and wanted him to pray for her as she was feeling dizzy and getting headaches.

He confirmed in court that he had advised the woman to go for a sauna bath at Sports City.

He told the woman to go there and he will come later and pay for the services and also buy her a bottle of water.

Reverend Ratabacaca told the court that the woman called him on a particular day for him to go to Peninsula Hotel.

He claimed that the woman wanted him to pray for her husband who allegedly punched her.

Reverend Rabatacaca then told the court that the alleged victim called him again on another day from the Novotel Hotel when he was on his way to attend a funeral in Navua.

He told the court that the woman allegedly told the All Nations Church head that she wanted him.

He asked the woman whether she was paid by someone to embarrass him.

Reverend Ratabacaca said he then told the woman that he will tell her husband about the incident.

Upon questioning by the DPP lawyer Reverend Ratabacaca told the court that he did not go to the massage parlor on the 22nd of June or any day of that month.

He said that he can only recall that he paid $15 for a sauna bath and $20 for massage and this was a few months before the alleged incident happened.

He further told the court that he did not recall the name of the girl when the payment was made.

On 22nd June last year, the church leader said that he was in a meeting with a Pastor Niudamu at his office at 10am and was in a meeting with a project committee in Nasinu in the afternoon.

This is the day that the victim is claiming that she was raped by Ratabacaca.

The trial continues today with the second defense witness to take the stand.


Story by: Watisoni Butabua