Navakamocea has taken down the social media post, it was from 2006 – Vasu

As the Public Service Commission continues it’s investigations into the alleged racist remarks made by Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Jone Navakamocea, the Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu has confirmed to fijivillage News that Navakamocea has taken down the social media post.

When asked by us, Vasu also says that the post was from 2006.

When we approached Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Service, Sitiveni Rabuka, he first said that he was unaware of the post.

Rabuka has later told us that he will not respond to social media utterances.

He has referred us to Section 126 (1) (b) of the Constitution which states that the Public Service Commission has the function to remove the Permanent Secretaries with the agreement of the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile the NGO Coalition on Human Rights strongly condemns the remarks made by Jone Navakamocea, targeting the Indo-Fijian community.

The Coalition urges the Public Service Commission to take swift and decisive disciplinary action in response to this unacceptable conduct.

The NGOs emphasise that such remarks not only incite racial hatred but also undermine the values of equality, unity, and dignity that should define a multicultural society like Fiji.

They stress that we must be vigilant in upholding the rights and dignity of all ethnic groups in Fiji.

The Coalition says leaders in public service have a duty to foster inclusion—not division—and must be held accountable when they fail to do so. The Coalition adds that senior civil servants should be well acquainted with the PSC Code of Conduct and must set an example by promoting racial harmony, not animosity.

They further remind public servants that they serve all Fijians, and their words carry weight, and they must be held responsible for any actions or comments that contribute to racial discord.