The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre recognizes that the context of their comments on the front page of Fiji Times yesterday, with the headline “Culture of Silence”, might have been misrepresented.
While responding to the story by the Fiji Times and the statement by the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, titled “Fijian Drua Clarification Statement”, FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali says FWCC has responded and is responding to cases of domestic violence, rape, sexism, and misogyny in rugby and within various sporting organizations in Fiji including alleged collusion by Police.
She says their public statements are evidence-based and informed by the lived experiences of women and girls who seek their support.
Ali says FWCC renews its calls for gender sensitization of all rugby players in Fiji Rugby and Fijian Drua programs.
She adds there is an urgent need for gender sensitization that includes educating players, coaches, and administrators about gender equality, challenging stereotypes, and preventing violence against women and girls.
She says let us end impunity for all perpetrators of violence.
The Fijian Drua released a statement yesterday clarifying that nobody from the FWCC contacted them to ascertain the facts of each individual case or details of the process undergone.
They were responding to the unfounded accusation published in the Fiji Times yesterday that the senior management of the Fijian Drua encouraged players to countercharge their partners.
Drua CEO Mark Evans says that this is utterly incorrect, and there has never been and never will be any attempt by anyone involved in disciplinary processes at the Drua to do so.
He says it is also incorrect to claim that no players were stood down - whilst internal investigations were completed.
Evans says it is very disappointing and unhelpful that such statements have been made without any attempt to establish the details of the robust disciplinary processes all players go through whenever such complaints are received.
He adds their track record in this area is robust, and processes are sound.
The CEO says that in Peni Matawalu’s case, the Club completed an internal process and sanctioned the player accordingly in line with their own standards.
He says they are aware of news reports of potential investigations by the authorities, and it’s only fair to all parties concerned to let the process take its course.
Evans says Matawalu has already been sanctioned in line with previously available information.
He says they can confirm that the sanctions were extensive, and they will await the outcome of any process undertaken by the authorities to determine the Club’s next steps.
In Iosefo Masi’s case, the Drua CEO says they have concluded its investigations into two of its players who were involved in an incident that has been publicly reported.
He says however, given that both cases are going through a legal process at present, the Club will not announce any sanctions-related decisions until such time that the legal process has run its course.
Evans says this is to respect the court process currently underway and protect all parties from prejudicial risk.
He adds as a result of this decision, Masi and a player from the women’s team are available for Club and Country duties as part of their employment requirements.
The Fijian Drua will not make further comments on the matter until an appropriate time.
fijivillage News confirms that on 22nd April this year, the Fijian Drua announced that Iosefo Masi was stood down from participating in any further matches for the Drua after being charged with one count of assault, while Peni Matawalu was under investigation for alleged domestic violence against his spouse.
At the time it was said that the Drua will leave the matter to the court so as not to prejudice the ongoing judicial process and that is essentially all they can say about Masi’s case.
For Matawalu’s alleged domestic violence case, based on the information available at the time, the club completed an internal process and placed sanctions on the player, in line with their standards.
On May 3rd this year, the Fijian Drua revealed that Iosefo Masi and a player from the women’s team are available for Club and Country duties as part of their employment requirements as the Club will not announce any sanctions-related decisions until such time that their legal process has run its course.
The Club says it has made the decision given that the two recent Drua players' cases are going through a legal process at present.
The Fijian Drua will not make further comments on the matter until an appropriate time.
26 year old Iosefo Masi appeared in the Nadi Magistrates Court on the 19th of last month after he was charged with assaulting a 21-year-old woman on 15th April 2025.
He is bailed to reappear in court today.
27 year old Peni Matawalu is charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.
He appeared in the Nadi Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Drua will host the Force at 3.35pm Saturday at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
