Malasebe Murderers Get Life

Lole Vulaca and Rusiate Korovusere, who were found guilty for the murder of Tevita Malasebe, have been sentenced to life imprisonment while the other accused Sergeant Pita Matai, who was found guilty of accessory to murder Tevita Malasebe, was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment.

Judge Justice Nazhat Shameem found that Vulaca and Korovusere last year assaulted Malasebe at Valelevu Police Station which led to his death.

The pathologist also found injuries on his body and established that the injuries were caused by assault.

While sentencing Matai to two years imprisonment, Judge
Justice Shameem said that Matai saw the deceased lying on the floor with black mark injuries and Matai did not do what he should have done.

She said that Matai's duty to Malasebe and as a police officer should have come first and he should not have taken his officer's side but should have done what was right.

Justice Shameem later said she considered the mitigation but could not overlook the fact that investigations couldn’t continue as Matai was in charge. She said that a blanket is still lying on what happened in June last year. According to Penal Code 388, Matai was supposed to be sentenced to 3 years but being a first offender and considering mitigation, he was sentenced to 2 years.