Eleven former workers of the Public Works Department and the director of Professional Stationery Services appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court for allegedly causing a loss of more than $34,000 to the Public Works Department.

Ana Laqere, Navitalai Tamanitoukula, Vaciseva Laqai, Amalia Vunisea, Viliseva Tuitavuki, Losalini Toroca, Laisa Halafi, Tavenisa Tavaqi, Taniela Railala, Eparama Racumu, Kiniviliame Taviraki, and the director of Professional Stationery Services Shalendra Kumar appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza.

It is alleged that these workers who were employed as assistant accounts officers, temporary relieving clerical officer, clerical officer, secretary, storeman and acting senior technical officer caused a loss of $34,236 between 1st January and 31st May 2010.

The 11 former employees are charged with 26 counts of committing an arbitrary act which was prejudicial to PWD and causing a loss while Kumar has been charged with obtaining a financial advantage.

It is alleged that these people while employed as public servants caused a loss to PWD by falsely facilitating a payment knowing that it will cause a loss or a substantial risk of loss will occur to PWD.

Magistrate Hamza has released Navitalai Tamanitou-kula on $2,000 bail with surety while the other 11 people have been remanded in custody until tomorrow.

They have been ordered to provide a proper surety.
 
The case will be called again tomorrow.


Story by: Praneeta Prakash