RADIO FIJI

24/09/2023

FICAC, Auditor General’s Office or police to investigate how contractor used taxpayers funds for Govind Park – Pro Prasad

By Ema Ganivatu , Navitalai Naivalurua
Sunday 24/09/2023

The Government will be asking competent agencies such as FICAC, the Auditor General’s Office or the police to investigate how a contractor used taxpayer funds to develop Govind Park in Ba.

While on a site visit in the Western Division, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad said that when people are dealing with taxpayers funds, they have to make sure that the project is well thought out.

During his visit to the park, Professor Prasad said the project had been a disaster as it was badly handled and managed.

He says for the past 6 years, the people of Ba have been denied the opportunity to hold any sort of sporting tournament, and he has been told that the people of Ba are losing interest in sports because there hasn’t been any sporting facility.

The Deputy Prime Minister also says they are unhappy with how the project was handled as they were told that the design of the project changed several times from the original plan.

He adds the stadium itself does not comply with safety standards.

The Government had allocated $4 million for the Govind Park development.

The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted that they will need to lift their monitoring and evaluation of capital projects.

24/09/2023

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER CHARGED WITH CHILD R**E

By Ritika Pratap
25/09/2023

A 30-year-old woman will be produced at the Suva Magistrates Court today charged with allegedly ra**ng a four-year-old girl.

The accused is alleged to have committed the offence on the 15th of September.

The accused is the victim’s kindergarten teacher, and allegedly committed the offence while she was helping the victim get into her swimsuit.

The victim relayed the incident to her mother later the same day, and a police report was lodged.

The matter was investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department.

The accused has been charged with one count of r**e.

24/09/2023

The Miss Vodafone Rakiraki Carnival 2023


🎊Our heartiest Congratulations to our Queens

Miss Vodafone Rakiraki 2023
✨️Miss Higgins - Priti Priya Prasad

️Miss Vodafone Rakiraki 1st Runner-up
✨️Miss Haroons- Alesi Naikaciwa

️Miss Vodafone Rakiraki 2nd Runner-up
✨️Miss Vaileka Fuels Limited - Serai Bale

24/09/2023

30-year-old charged for allegedly ra**ng a 75-year-old woman

By Rashika Kumar
Monday 25/09/2023

A 30-year-old farmer will be produced in the Nausori Magistrates Court today for allegedly ra**ng a 75-year-old woman in her home.

Police say the incident occurred sometime between the 12th and 13th of this month and was reported by the Turaga ni Koro on the 16th.

They say the elderly woman was alone at home, when she heard a noise coming from her kitchen.

Upon checking she saw the accused whom she knew, and told him to leave some food for her grandson and went back to sleep.

Police say later in the night, the accused went into the victim’s bedroom where he allegedly committed the offence.

The elderly woman relayed the matter to a relative on the 16th and it was referred to the Vunidawa Police Station by the Turaga ni Koro.

Police say two officers were deployed to arrest the accused on Friday, whereby he allegedly resisted and tore an officer's uniform and in the process assaulted the second officer.

They say the accused was eventually subdued, arrested and taken into police custody.

He has been charged with one count of r**e, three counts of serious assault and one count of damaging property.

21/09/2023

RAIWAI MAN BEHIND TOTOGO ATTACK

By Jale Daucakacaka
21/09/2023

The 33-year-old man accused of an early morning attack on the Totogo Police Station today has a history of violence.

Divisional Police Commander Central SP Farasiko Matawalu says the accused was bound over in 2020 for an assault case.

Matawalu says the accused allegedly threw a beer bottle containing benzene into the station at 6:50am.

Matawalu says the accused was armed with two hammers, which he used to damage office items in the reception area.

It is alleged the man exited the station compound and tried to set fire to vehicles parked along the road.

“He entered the station with two hammers and damage the items that was placed on the table. He exited on the opposite side of Joske Street where vehicles were parked and tried to set fire to the parked vehicles. But the police officers on duty were able to confront him and seize the bottles in his possession and now he is custody and investigations are ongoing.”

The DPC Central says the accused was then confronted by on-duty officers, who managed to apprehend him and take him into custody.

Matawalu says police have yet to ascertain the motive behind the attack and details will be revealed once the investigation is complete.

He says such attacks on police officers and infrastructure will not be condoned.

Matawalu says police stations are a place where police can assist members of the public and urges people to work with police and not resort to violent acts.

Investigation continues.

20/09/2023

19/09/2023

$1 million worth of complaints regarding EbayShop scam - Shandil
**Distressing case received of a man investing his entire life saving of $32,000

By Vijay Narayan
Wednesday 20/09/2023

608 complaints have now been filed with the Consumer Council of Fiji regarding the EbayShop recruitment scam with a combined monetary value of over $1 million.

The council received an additional 186 complaints related to the pyramid scheme, spanning from Monday to 4pm yesterday. The monetary value of these recent complaints amounts to a staggering $334,749.

Council CEO, Seema Shandil says one distressing case the council received involved an individual who invested his entire life savings, amounting to $32,000, into this deceitful scheme.

Shandil says this unfortunate situation has left the individual in great distress and financial uncertainty.

In another heart-wrenching case, a desperate mother motivated to gain money for her paraplegic son’s care, was coerced into ‘investing’ the little savings she had set aside. The promise of substantial earnings misled her into risking her hard-earned money, illustrating the insidious tactics employed by these fraudsters.

Shandil is reiterating the council's commitment to combat such fraudulent activities, saying, as more and more Fijians are coming forward with their stories, they are now able to get a clearer picture of the scale of this scheme.

She says these cases are revealing the kind of damage financial scams can cause, and they underscore the importance of collective action.

Shandil also stresses the importance of consumer education and awareness, stating, empowering consumers with knowledge and vigilance is the key.

The council is actively engaged with the Multi-Interagency Taskforce, led by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs, and Communications.

Shandil says this collaboration aims to devise effective strategies and actions to address the EbayShop Online pyramid scheme and other similar scam

19/09/2023

NEIGHBOURS TO THE RESCUE

By Anish Chand
19/09/2023

A man is under investigation in Rakiraki for allegedly pouring fuel on his partner and setting her alight.

The incident happened on Saturday night.

"A 47-year-old man is alleged to have caused his partner serious injury after he threw an object at his wife, and poured fuel on her and set her alight," said Divisional Police Commander West, SSP Iakobo Vaisewa.

"She sustained burns and is admitted at the Lautoka Hospital as investigations continue."

Neighbours had rushed to the scene to assist the woman and took her to hospital.

19/09/2023

Come down this Friday and Saturday at Albert Park where an exhilarating 7's event awaits you as we present the inaugural Fiji Airways Mini International Women’s 7s tournament .

The tournament is hosted by the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side.

Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, France, and the United States of America will be participating.

The second leg of the tournament will be held next week on September 28-29., at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

19/09/2023

According to provisional data released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, our shores welcomed 87,368 visitors last month.

19/09/2023

Shiran Devi, 61, is pleading to authorities and individuals to help rebuild their home at Nanuku Settlement in Vatuwaqa.

She could only cry and helplessly watchas her home of more than 20 years was being razed to the ground yesterday at around 10am.

For more details, click on link: https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/09/19/vatuwaqa-home-fire-devi-pleads-help-to-rebuild-home/

19/09/2023

PRASAD OVERCOMES FAILURE TO BECOME CHEF

Former Rakiraki Public High School student, Shalvindra Prasad who had lost all hope after failing his Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination English exam paper in 2020 is proudly pursuing his dream in Diploma in Culinary Arts.

Prasad says he thought there was no other way forward, because he had failed his main exam paper and disappointed his parents.

However, his father a retired mechanic refused to let his son give up and tried to help get him back on track to continue the journey towards achieving his dream.

He says as he entered Year 13 with disappointment, he realised that he had to make a change which made him work hard and make his parents proud by completing his Year 13 on a high note.

The 21-year-old is a final-year student at the College of Business Hospitality and Tourism Studies at FNU Namaka Campus in Nadi.

Prasad says his love for food and the joy it brings to others motivates him every day and that is why he is determined to refine his skills, learn from experienced chefs and carve his path in the culinary industry.

He says even criticisms were not going to stop him from moving forward.

Prasad plans to further his studies in attaining a Bachelor of Hospitality and Hotel Management.

He also advises young people to follow their passion, work hard, embrace the joy of pursuing their dreams, and always remember the love and sacrifice of their parents, for they are the pillars of their foundation and the unwavering support that guides them towards a bright future.

Meanwhile, the FNU 2023 Open Day will be held at the Naduna Campus from the 5th to 6th October, Nasinu Campus from 6th to 7th October and Natabua and Namaka Campus from 6th October.

Congratulations and Best Wishes for Future Endeavors.