A man who lives near the stabbing crime scene has told of how he had used a padlock to stop an attacker from further stabbing a woman.

Josaia Takala, 32, said he did not only witness the alleged incident, but was glad he helped save the woman.

Yesterday, Samabula residents were still reeling in horror following the alleged stabbing incident at the junction of Namuka and Fulaga streets in Suva on Tuesday night.

The victim has been identified as a 44-year-woman. She remains admitted at the CWM Hospital.

According to witnesses, the alleged attacker was seen loitering in the Namuka Street area and knew that the victim was going to get off the bus at the nearby bus stop.

His story

That night, Mr Takala said he heard people yelling when he was at home.

“Murder, murder they shouted and at first I thought they were joking,” he said.

“But then I heard a woman scream so I rushed outside to see what was going on.”

He said he saw the attacker stab the victim’s neck with the knife.

“I was shocked to see a woman getting stabbed and people were terrified. I said “Kua!” (“Stop!”) to the man, but he still continued stabbing her.”

Mr Takala said he threw a padlock at the attacker to distract him.

“I wanted the man to stop the stabbing and chase me,” he said.

He said he ran towards the Samabula Police Station for help.

“The man disappeared after the chase,” he said.

Police concerns

Now a video capturing the alleged horrific attack is being circulated on social media. This has not gone down well with the Fiji Police.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said it was appalling that people were sharing this video without any thought for the victim and her family.

“This is a tragic crime and social media users should not be taking advantage of the pain and suffering and use it as a means of self-gratification out of their desire to get likes on social media,” she said.

Police forensic team investigates the stabbing of women at the junction of Namuka and Fulaga Street in Samabula on December 4, 2019. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

Another witness tells

A retired Police officer, Serupepeli Lailai, 55, who occupies a flat above the shop where the alleged attack took place, said he heard a woman screaming.

“My wife and I ran down stairs and we could hear the victim shouting ‘knife, knife’,” he said.

“A neighbour threw a padlock at the suspect, in order to save the victim. The guy was quite violent.”

His wife, Resina Lailai, said the victim was bleeding heavily from her mouth, neck and stomach.

“My first impression was that she was in a serious condition and she must be rushed to the hospital immediately,” she said.

Mrs Lailai said the suspect grabbed the victim’s hand bag and ran towards Fulaga Street.

“With the help of a few women, I managed to take her to the hospital. We managed to stop a private car and rushed her to the CWM Emergency department,” she said.

Police managed to arrest the alleged attacker yesterday morning at the CWM Hospital.

Police spokesperson Ms Naisoro said the suspect was treated for injuries he suffered during the alleged attack, under heavy Police security. He remains in custody.

Minister’s response

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, said violence against women and girls in particular is one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world.

“Violence against women is a social problem that many people witness and experience throughout their life cycle; sometimes as victims and sometimes as aggressor,” she said.

She highlighted the increased in rate for violence against women and girls cases that have been reported to relevant authorities.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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