The people of Naduri village in Macuata have started their preparation for the funeral of their late paramount chief Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere.
The Tokatoka Namara is leading the cleaning up from Valelevu the resident of the Tui Macuata and the whole village.
One of its members Penaia Erevonu said they are also building sheds to cater for the visitors arriving in the village.
He said they are waiting for the late Tui Macuata’s younger brother Ratu William Maivalili Katonivere before the Bose Vanua meeting to decide the funeral arrangement.
The Bose Vanua meeting will include the chiefly families, the Taukei Namara, the chiefly families from the Tikina Macuata, king maker and undertaker of the Tui Macuata from the Yavusa Nabariqi.
The late Tui Macuata, Ratu Aisea Katonivere’s body was found yesterday in the Macuata waters after their boat capsized on Thursday night.
The chiefly household has confirmed that his body is at the Labasa hospital mortuary.
Fijivillage received confirmation from the Police Search and Rescue Centre that at about 2pm on Thursday, Ratu Aisea Katonivere, Ratu Peni Vulaca and a Vereniki, all of Naduri village, went fishing in a fibre glass boat and were supposed to return yesterday morning.
At about 2.45 yesterday morning, a fisherman from Siberia, Labasa, Chandra Deo rescued Vulaca and Vereniki after he saw them waving and shouting in the Macuata waters.
However, the Tui Macuata was nowhere to be seen.
His body was found floating earlier yesterday.
Story by: Watisoni Butabua
