Draunidalo Calls for Alleged Rape Investigation
Former National Federation Party president Roko Tupou Draunidalo has called on authorities to investigate allegations of rape against NFP provisional candidate Romanu Tikotikoca.
A Papua New Guinea national, who was employed by Mr Tikotikoca, has accused him of raping her in 2014 when he was the Fijian High Commissioner to PNG.
Ms Draunidalo said: “As a woman, I say that those are very serious allegations that ought to be taken to and dealt with by the authorities.
“And as a lawyer, I believe that everyone is innocent of allegations until proven guilty by due process.”
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali while speaking to the Fiji Sun from Canberra, Australia, said a thorough check needed to be done for party candidates’ backgrounds.
With an allegation of rape hanging over Mr Tikotikoca, Ms Ali said he “shouldn’t be allowed to hold a public office”.
Edited by Percy Kean
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