As the fight against the spread of COVID-19 continues in the country, questions continue to arise on what can be done to ensure that there are strong deterrent measures in place and those who are breaching the Public Health Act and curfew measures are dealt with severely.
Calls are being made for higher bail amounts, harsher fines and sentences to ensure that people get the message that they cannot get away with breaching the rules and just have $200 bail or no conviction being recorded. Many people who are making this call say these are abnormal times where people breaching the curfew and lockdown restrictions, are putting people’s lives at risk.
The magistrate's courts around the country are now dealing with an influx of cases relating to these breaches.
Fiji had the highest number of arrests for breaches in 24 hours over the weekend since the curfew started.
Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho says as the global COVID-19 death toll surpasses 100,000 in what has been described as a grim landmark, it is astounding to see the level of ignorance by a group of selfish people who have shown they lack good sense and judgement and are blatantly disregarding life-saving health advisories.
Qiliho says the 193 people arrested in the 24 hour period is a classic example of the selfish group of people that authorities continue to talk about that are risking the lives of their families and loved ones by leaving their homes, breaching curfew hours and choosing to mingle with potential COVID-19 carriers over yaqona and drinking sessions, without realizing that a few hours of fun could result in days and weeks of suffering for their loved ones when they take the virus back into their homes.
139 people were arrested for social gathering breaches, 53 arrests for curfew breaches and 1 arrest for breach of lockdown restrictions.
The Western Division recorded 58 social gathering breaches as people were still found gathering in numbers for kava or drinking sessions.
The Eastern Division recorded 30 social gathering breaches mostly in rural areas, 27 in the South which included arrests on Vanuabalavu, 18 in the Central Division and six 6 in the North.
Curfew breaches accounted for 53 arrests and the Eastern Division recorded 30 arrests, 13 in the South, 6 in the West, 3 in the North and 1 in the Central Division.
The Police Commissioner says keep in mind that any assembly of individuals as defined in the Public Health Act is considered a gathering.
He adds therefore if you are intending to invite even one or two people over to your home or plan to meet others for a social gathering then you are breaching the COVID-19 restrictions.
Qiliho further says they also have the support of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces who are assisting them with the arrests of COVID-19 restriction breaches.
He adds the checkpoints will remain throughout today and officers will strictly monitor movement throughout Fiji.
Qiliho says the message is simple, stay home.
The Police Commissioner also says unless you need to run to the shops to pick up groceries and urgent supplies, stay home.
He adds unless it is an emergency situation, stay home.
Qiliho says with today being a public holiday they do not expect a lot of movement and if people are found moving around without a valid reason, people should be prepared to spend their Sunday in Police custody as they have issued enough warnings.
However, there are worrying signs on the number of people still not following the curfew and lockdown restrictions - people still blatantly staying out drinking kava and alcohol, while others are not adhering to the self-quarantine directives.
In Nausori, at least three people have received $2,000 fine each from the court therefor breaches while one person has been told to do community work for 60 days at a Police Station. Failure to pay the fine would see the people serving 3 months in prison.
In Suva, Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili decided to exercise his powers and will not be entering the conviction for 5 university students who were found guilty for gathering in Laucala Bay and consuming alcohol.
Tongan students Ioane Moala and Manu Makuhoa and Fijian students Nicholas Arnold Prakash, Ronald Ritik Kumar and Shiv Anand pleaded guilty to a charge each of failure to comply with order under the Public Health Act.
They were drinking alcohol on the 11th of April in a flat at Laucala Bay.
The Chief Magistrate has ordered the 5 University of the South Pacific students to pay a fine of $200 each within a month and failure to pay the fine will result in the 5 in spending 20 days in prison.
Chief Magistrate Ratuvili also released each student on $500 bail. The five must reside at their address and report at Raiwaqa Police Station every Saturday between 8am and 5pm.
The case has been adjourned to the 11th of May.
Vijay N/Naveel/Rashika
Radio announcer appears for allegedly posting on facebook to stone Police vehicles
By: Rashika Kumar
Alisi Koroi
Fijian Broadcasting Corporation announcer Alisi Koroi who is charged with one count of Malicious Act for allegedly posting comments on social media calling on people to stone vehicles during curfew hours has been remanded in custody by the Suva Magistrates Court.
It is alleged that between 7th and 8th April in Suva 24-year-old Koroi endeavored to disturb public peace by posting on her Facebook page to stone vehicles during curfew hours in the iTaukei language.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Ravi Kumar objected to bail stating that the accused is a public figure and a lot of people follow her on social media.
He told the court that in stating that people should throw stones at police vehicles, she was putting the lives of those who protect her and other people at risk.
Sergeant Kumar also told the court that the case is of national interest as Koroi is a public figure.
Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili has ordered the accused to file a proper bail application through her Legal Aid lawyer. The case has been adjourned to the 20th of April.
Chief Magistrate fines Samabula man $200 for going out to buy cigarettes during the curfew
Police prosecutor calls for $2000 fine as the state is incurring huge cost to maintain law
BY: Rashika Kumar
A 27 year old man charged with one count of failure to comply with orders of curfew under the Public Health Act has been fined $200 by the Suva Magistrate Court for buying a packet of cigarettes.
It is alleged that Samabula resident Masikesa Tomu left his home during the curfew to purchase a packet of cigarettes.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Ravi Kumar told the court that a severe fine of $2,000 is warranted as the crime is of a serious nature.
He also told the court that the state is incurring a huge cost to maintain law.
Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili has ordered Tomu to pay the fine of $200 within a month and if he is unable to do so, he will be imprisoned for 20 days.
He also told Tomu that a packet of cigarettes has now cost him $200.
The case has been adjourned to the 23th of June.
In a separate case, Samabula resident, 25-year-old Lui Naiyaku has been found guilty as he is charged with one count of failure to comply with orders of curfew under the Public Health Act.
He was standing on Lakeba Street during the hours of the curfew.
Naiyaku has also been ordered to pay a fine of $200 within a month and if unable to do so, he will be imprisoned for 20 days.
The case has been adjourned to the 23rd of June.
Meanwhile, 42 people were produced in the Suva Magistrates Court today for not adhering to laws in relation to COVID-19.
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