Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has told the members of the RFMF, Police and Navy to be careful of the intentions of SODELPA and its leader Sitiveni Rabuka.
While speaking to them in the iTaukei language after the 2000 Mutiny Commemoration Church Service today at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Bainimarama said Rabuka is like a snake amongst the community.
Bainimarama adds that he was not talking to them as the Prime Minister or a politician, but as the former Commander of the RFMF and someone that knows what is happening.
Bainimarama urged them not to forget the person that wanted to become the Commander when all this was happening.
He says their supporters are urging them to conduct the second event of November 2nd, 2000.
Bainimarama says some people are saying that the government does not protect the iTaukei.
He says people should be careful of these sorts of messages that are being circulated.
Bainimarama says some of those that took part in the 2000 mutiny are still in parliament.
He says SODELPA was better when Rabuka had not joined the party.
Bainimarama says some of the chiefs and church leaders entered parliament and took part in the events of 2000.
He says racial discrimination resulted in the events of 2000 but with the establishment of the 2013 constitution, everyone is now protected.
Earlier
“Let them not die in vain”
This was the message by the Prime Minister and former Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking to the members of the RFMF, Police and Navy after the 2000 Mutiny Commemoration Church Service today at Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
Fallen loyalist soldiers Private Osea Rokosirinavosa, Private Temo Veilewai and Private Simione Rawaileba were killed during the 2000 mutiny.
Bainimarama said we should also remember the fallen Police officers and soldier during the 2000 coup.
Constable Filipo Seavula was shot dead by rebels in Nasova in May 2000 while Corporal Raj Kumar and soldier Joela Weleilakeba were killed by rebels in a gully on an isolated road near Adi Cakobau School leading to Navuso village in Sawani.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held today where the fallen soldiers and other soldiers were remembered for protecting the then Commander.
Families of the three loyalist soldiers also took part in the ceremony.
The Prime Minister says it is always a touching moment for him when it comes to the 2nd of November because of what was done and what had transpired.
Bainimarama says it was one of the saddest days because the soldiers killed each other. He says 2000 was a dark year and it should not be repeated.
Bainimarama adds that he was not talking to them as the Prime Minister or a politician, but as the former Commander of the RFMF and someone that knows what is happening.
He says their role is to uphold the 2013 constitution.
Meanwhile Reverend Captain Viliame Tuinidau shared a touching message where he thanked the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama for leading Fiji to where it is today.
Reverend Tuinidau says this day in 2000, only gun shots and cries were heard in the camp.
He says the wives and children of the soldiers were wondering back at home if their husbands and dads were going to return home.
Reverend Tuinidau says those soldiers who gave their lives will never be forgotten for their sacrifice to Fiji as a nation.
Also in attendance were the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu, Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service Francis Kean, Director-General For Fiji’s National Security Council Brigadier-General Jone Kalouniwai, Chief of Staff RFMF Captain (Navy) John Fox, Land Force Commander Colonel Manoa Gadai, Commanding Officer 3FIR Lt Col Aseri Rokoura and other officers from the RFMF, Navy and Fiji Police Force.
SODELPA Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka has told fijivillage that he won't make any comments relating to Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama's statement at QEB today during the 20th anniversary of the November 2nd, 2000 mutiny.
Rabuka says the matter was handled before the courts and he does not need to make further comments.
He also says he will not comment on Bainimarama calling him a snake again and will also not say anything on comments that some of those behind the events of 2000 are still in parliament.
In mid-December 2006, High Court Judge, Justice Gerard Winter acquitted Sitiveni Rabuka of two charges of inciting the 2000 mutiny.
Rabuka had pleaded not guilty.
In the first count, Rabuka was accused of attempting to convince an army officer, Lt Colonel Viliame Seruvakula to overthrow the then Army Commander, Voreqe Bainimarama, on July 4th, 2000.
In the second count, Rabuka was accused of supporting a rebel force on November 2nd, 2000, when some of the CRW rebel soldiers started a mutiny attempt with the aim of killing Bainimarama.
The uprising was put down by loyalist soldiers.
Prosecutors claimed that Rabuka had hoped to exploit the rebels' actions and take control of the military himself.
The prosecution also alleged that Rabuka acted against Bainimarama because he had missed the power after he lost the 1999 election.
Justice Winter handed down his not guilty verdict for Rabuka after the five assessors delivered a split opinion.
Two assessors thought Rabuka had been guilty of both counts. One found him innocent of both counts. The final two found he was not guilty of the first count but guilty of the second.
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