The four men who are charged with the rape of a woman during a drinking party in Sigatoka have been refused bail.

The four accused, Savenaca Walu, 27, Tomasi Vakaloloma, 23, Watisoni Baro, 23,  and Tevita Gusudradra, 37, appeared before Magistrate Tomasi Bainivalu yesterday at the Sigatoka Magistrates Court.

Walu is charged with one count of rape and one count of assault, while Vakaloloma, Baro, and Gusudradra are all charged with one count of rape each.

Prosecutor Sergeant Mohammed Shamim objected to bail because of the seriousness of the offence.

Sergeant Shamim told the court the case was of public interest and the accused if released on bail were likely to interfere with the victim.

All the accused, who are farmers of Nukulau in the interior of Navosa, told the court that they understood the charges and they all opted for Legal Aid Commission representation.

Magistrate Bainivalu relayed to the prosecutor to serve disclosures to the Legal Aid Commission.

The four accused are alleged to have assaulted and raped a 32-year-old woman during a drinking party on March 4.

The  victim later reported the incident at the Sigatoka Police Station on the same day.

The alleged incident took place somewhere near Tulalevu Road and the Queens Road junction in Sigatoka.

The case will be recalled for mention at the High Court in Lautoka on April 4.

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