A three member committee is now conducting an inquiry into the affairs of the Fiji Cancer Society.
Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the committee which is made up of former High Court Judge, Nazhat Shameem, Doctor James Fong and financial expert, Sura Weera will investigate various complaints against certain office bearers of the Fiji Cancer Society.
Sayed-Khaiyum also revealed that after the amendment to the Charitable Trusts Act, the Cancer Society’s office bearers’ appointments have been revoked.
Sayed-Khaiyum said the government is also seriously concerned about some of the allegations leveled against some of the Fiji Cancer Society officials.
He said these will be investigated by the three member committee.
Fijivillage questioned Sayed-Khaiyum about the Cancer Society’s frozen accounts.
He said all these issues will be assessed.
No time frame has been set for the completion of the committee’s report however Sayed-Khaiyum hopes the committee presents a report soon.
The new law gives powers to the Minister responsible under the Charitable Trusts Act to revoke the appointments of trustees, board members or other office bearers of any charitable trust which is established with or is provided with government assistance.
The Charitable Trusts Amendment Decree states that the Minister responsible can take this action if the charitable trust is not functioning or has become dissolved, is not by reason of the state of its affairs able to function properly or is failing to achieve its objects or is acting contrary to its objects.
It is also clearly stated that any decision by the Minister under the decree shall not be challenged in any court of law or tribunal.
Former Interim President of the Cancer Society, Doctor Tukaha Mua had said last week that they do not have access to any of the records kept in the office and cannot move ahead to organise meetings and sort out matters to ensure that almost $900,000 which is frozen at the bank are opened up to assist cancer patients.
This is due to major differences between the officials of the Society.
Almost half a million dollars of those funds was collected through the Walk On Walk Strong campaign to assist children living with cancer.
According to the audited accounts provided by the Walk On Walk Strong committee, the funds are intact however they cannot access it as it is kept in a Cancer Society account which has joint signatories from the Fiji Cancer Society and WOWS.
Many of the children who were awaiting assistance have passed away and a number of cancer patients have also passed on or have been without any assistance due to these unresolved issues.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
