Racaca tells Tribunal Dr Nakarawa influenced wife’s job application process and later terminated her unjustly

Terminated Fiji Corrections Service Director of Human Resources, Assistant Commissioner Salesia Racaca has told the Constitutional Offices Commission Tribunal that two proceedings were carried out against her in relation to the appointment of suspended Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa's wife's job application for the position of a nurse practitioner.

While responding to questions before the COC Tribunal looking into the allegations of misbehaviour by Dr Nakarawa, Racaca says she was told by Dr Nakarawa to make the newspaper advertisement for the position of a nurse practitioner more attractive, a day before it was to be published.

She says it was the first time she was told to make the advertisement more attractive by including lodging and extra duty allowance entitlements, which were conditional and only applicable to contracted individuals.

The terminated officer says Deputy Commissioner Auta Moceisuva called her on Saturday, 19th October, last year for a meeting where some of them were told off for not following instructions as the ad was already in the newspaper without the added details while they had managed to put the details on their website by about 5.30pm that day.

She says Dr Nakarawa had told them that the ad did not include requirements and qualifications of a nurse practitioner and his wife, who is a nurse practitioner, was disappointed.

When asked if she had known at this point that Mrs Nakarawa had also applied, Racaca says she did not know as they were working under fear and could not discuss issues.

She says had she known, she would have told her not to apply as it was unethical.

Racaca also says she was handed Mrs Nakarawa’s application from Moceisuva but applications could only be received through hand delivery, email or on their site.

She says it did not appear to come through the normal HR process as it did not have a stamp.

The terminated Director HR says Mrs Nakarawa’s married name was not reflected in her Expression of Interest letter or the CV.

Racaca says she realised Mrs Nakarawa had applied after she was shortlisted while Moceisuva and Assistant Commissioner Akuila Namakadre knew who she was.

She also says Nakarawa had influenced the process by giving the additional requirements for the role of a nurse practitioner.

Racaca revealed that there was no position for Nurse Practitioner before this.

She also says that two days after telling the staff in a meeting that Mrs Nakarawa had applied, she was sent on leave for 56 days on 25th November, last year.

Racaca says she sought redress but was given a transfer the very next day and that she was told by Naba that she had to sign the contract of a Director’s position or she would be terminated.

She also says she was charged with failing to follow instructions two days after being told off, while the Board of Inquiry was conducting interviews, and was only informed about it after returning from leave.

She says she was told that she was fined 5 days of loss of pay and two weeks later, she was terminated for seeking legal advice after getting instructions to terminate John Kalepi and Helen Koi.

Racaca says she did not appear before a tribunal and that Assistant Commissioner Sevuloni Naucukidi had recommended for 5 days of loss of pay but the Manager Legal at that time, Aisea Vucago had written to the Commissioner to review the decision.

She says Dr Nakarawa reviewed the decision and decided to terminate the contract.

While responding to Dr Nakarawa’s counsel Simione Valenitabua’s questions, Racaca agreed Dr Nakarawa had sought legal advice before terminating her and decided to withdraw the termination.

She also agreed that she had received no response but when she called the Finance Department, she was informed that they had her termination letter.

Tribunal member Justice Dane Tuiqereqere then asked Valenitabua that does it look good for Dr Nakarawa that one day he said he will review the decision and the next day, terminate her without reason.

Tribunal Chair Justice Daniel Goundar also asked Valenitabua how he wants the tribunal to construe this termination and is he accepting that the termination was not justified.

Valenitabua says it is premature to answer at this point and will address it when the time comes.

He has asked for 28 days to file Dr Nakarawa’s affidavit in response to all the allegations.

As the hearing continues, the counsel assisting the tribunal, Juleen Fatiaki says she has four more witnesses and hopes to conclude this afternoon.