As we get into the week of Easter, a family in Cunningham are still trying to come to terms that the head of the family has passed on after he was allegedly assaulted by a man who was heavily intoxicated.
Amelia Katavaki, the eldest daughter, recalls the event over the weekend as one of the saddest moments of her life. In an interview with fijivillage News, Katavaki says her 68-year-old father, Mesake Rikalevu went with his granddaughter to wait for the bus, as they were heading to Suva.
Amelia says while waiting for the bus, a drunk man was swearing at a pastor who lives along the road, and her dad told the man not to do that. Katavaki says they had a heated argument, and the drunk man punched her dad in the chest, which caused him to lose consciousness and he later died at the Tamavua Health Centre.
Rikalevu served as a church steward for the Methodist Church in Fiji and has served in various parts of the country.
He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Meanwhile, Police are currently searching for the suspect who allegedly assaulted Rikalevu, resulting in his death.
Divisional Police Commander South Senior Superintendent of Police Wate Vocevoce confirms the suspect is known to the Police and are pursuing his whereabouts.
