Almost 23 years on, the leader of Fiji’s first coup Sitiveni Rabuka yesterday went to Viseisei village to visit the late Doctor Timoci Bavadra’s family and the Tui Vuda Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
The main reason for Rabuka’s visit was to admit to the Bavadra family and those connected to the family at the village that he had done wrong to the family during the 1987 coup.
Rabuka on May 14th 1987 removed the late Doctor Bavadra and his government from office.
Rabuka said he has decided to go in this direction after realizing that he had done wrong things from 1987.
He believed that justice finally kicked in for him when the soldiers came and took his government 4-wheel-drive vehicle and his Prime Minister’s pension was scrapped earlier this year.
Rabuka said he has already spoken to his senior officers whom he ousted in 1987.
He confirmed that he admitted to the current President and the Army Commander in 1987, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau that he had wronged him when he removed him from office.
The 1987 coup leader has done the same with the then RFMF Chief Of Staff Jim Sanday.
Rabuka said yesterday Ratu Josefa Iloilo and Ratu Tevita Momoedonu were present with the Bavadra family which was represented by the late Doctor Bavadra’s brother.
Rabuka said he is only on this journey to admit that he had wronged them and stressed that it is not about asking for forgiveness.
Rabuka said he had already apologized to the Indians in Fiji toward the end of his Prime Ministership and also confirmed he apologized to Her Majesty the Queen back in 1997.
He now plans to approach Ratu Epeli Ganilau and the military to do the same.
Meanwhile, the traditional Spokesperson for the Tui Vuda Ratu Tevita Momoedonu said yesterday’s visit by the former Prime Minister was a unique day for the people of Vuda.
I was wrong-Rabuka
Related Stories
COMPOL urges Lagalaga Sanatan students to value discipline and education
Students of Lagalaga Sanatan Primary School in Labasa have been reminded of the importance of education, discipline and obedience by the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu. Tudravu spoke to the students during
Heavy Rain Alert remains for Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Lau and Lomaiviti Groups
A Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the Eastern half of Viti Levu from Serua, Namosi through Navua, Suva, Nausori, Tailevu, Naitasiri, Ra, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni, Kadavu, Lau and Lomaiviti Groups and near
Warning letter written to Prof. Narsey – Acting AG
Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga says a strong warning letter has been written to Electoral Reform Commissioner Professor Wadan Narsey after he came out publicly with the Electoral Reform Commission report recommen
3 Fijian men from KVT gang in Sydney denied bail for AUD$12.5M drugs case
Three Fijians who are alleged to be associated with a gang supplying drugs in Sydney have been refused bail by the court. 28-year-old Eparama Nevale, 28-year-old William Ravoka, and 24-year-old George Sukanaivalu,
Proposed ‘People First’ submits application for registration
The Proposed ‘People First’ has submitted its application for registration to the Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa. Mataiciwa confirms that the FEO is now preparing to publish the party’s applica
Visitor arrivals on track for record year while sugar output drops
Visitor arrivals have recovered following a decline in the first quarter and based on current trends, Fiji is on track to achieve a third consecutive year of record visitor arrivals in 2025. While speaking on the p