Nata's group gives matter to their lawyers to check if purported SODELPA executives are in contempt of court

The SODELPA group that took some executives to court regarding the party’s AGM last year, has now referred the matter regarding some of the people whose appointments have been declared invalid, to the lawyers to consider whether the conduct of the purported officials is potentially contemptuous in light of the clear orders of the High Court.

SODELPA’s Suva Constituency President Watisoni Nata, SODELPA’s Youth Wing President, Jope Koroisavou, the party’s Vice President of the Women’s Forum, Doctor Mere Samisoni, the party’s Secretary of the Women’s Forum, Emele Duituturaga, SODELPA Women’s Wing Lami President, Kesaia Makita and the party’s Lami Youth executive, Asenaca Ravulo had taken legal action against the party executives.

The legal action was filed against Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Anare Jale, Adi Litia Qionibaravi and Usaia Waqatairewa.

Nata says their lawyers are also taking up the matter with the lawyers of Ro Filipe and others to ensure that good sense prevails.

The group says they are quite disturbed by the press statements made by Ro Filipe Tuisawau relating to the effect of the judgement. They say Usaia Waqatairewa, who was also a defendant in the proceedings (in his capacity as the purported General Secretary of the Management Board of SODELPA), has also neglected, refused or outright ignored the orders of the court.

Nata’s group says in its judgement, the court, amongst other orders, has declared that all subsequent actions, meetings, resolutions, decisions, directives and outcomes of the Management Board following the AGM of SODELPA held in Savusavu on 28th June, 2019 are unlawful, invalid and ineffective.

They also say that despite the clear order of the court, Usaia Waqatairewa has been circulating emails still describing and holding himself out as the General Secretary of SODELPA.

Ro Filipe Tuisawau says according to his interpretation he is not an illegal president of SODELPA after the High Court ruling.

While speaking to Legend FM News, Ro Filipe says he will remain in office at SODELPA until the financial members decide on who should be the President, Vice President and General Secretary of SODELPA.

High Court Judge Justice Vishwa Datt Sharma has declared that the AGM of SODELPA in June last year in Savusavu breached the party’s constitution and the 2013 constitution and the election of Ro Filipe Tuisawau as SODELPA President and Adi Litia Qionibaravi as the Vice President at the AGM were invalid.

Following the ruling, Ro Filipe says they are studying the ruling with their legal adviser.

Ro Filipe also says they know that they may have to conduct another party election but they are also mindful of the fact that the COVID-19 restrictions remain and they cannot have a meeting.

He also says they will also look at all options and see if they want to appeal the ruling.