Two youths involved in the murder of a man in Makoi last year were this morning sentenced to life imprisonment by the Suva High Court.

19 year old Mesulame Waqabaca and 20 year old Tiko Uate were found guilty of the murder of Simione Navulatamata in Makoi last year.

The court heard that Navulatamata was returning from work on the 16th of May 2009 when he was attacked by the two.

The two were drinking with others near the Makoi Methodist School driveway, when Waqabaca encouraged the others to attack and rob the deceased to which Uate responded.

Uate held the deceased up while Waqabaca threw punches, and a heavy punch landed on the deceased head causing brain injury resulting in his death.

High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo while handing down the sentence issued a message to the two youths to learn to control the effects of alcohol or it will destroy them.

Justice Temo fixed a non-parole period of 14 years for Waqabaca because he threw the lethal punch which led to the Navulatamata's death.

Justice Temo however while also sentencing Uate to life imprisonment fixed a non parole period of 12 years because he did not throw the lethal punch.


Story by: Tokasa Rainima & Ana Naisoro