A man who allegedly stabbed his former wife in Samabula on Tuesday night had earlier in the day harassed and verbally abused her, a relative claims.

It was the culmination of a series of breaches of the Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO), the sister-in-law of the victim alleged.

She claimed that hours before the victim was allegedly attacked on Tuesday night. The suspect had yelled obscenities at the victim at the Suva Market earlier on the same day.

The incident was reported to the Police. She claimed similar incidents were reported to the Police in the past that the suspect had breached the DVRO that had been issues to him. But it appeared the complaints were not taken seriously, she claimed.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said an investigation was underway into the alleged attack. She said if such claims had been brought up alleging laxity by Police officers, they would be investigated.

The sister-in-law claimed that violence had led to the collapse of the couple’s marriage.

She also claimed the court had issued a DVRO against the suspect.

“On Tuesday, the suspect had come to the market. He was yelling obscenities at her and tried to hit her. This habit is not new and he has done this before,” she said.

“On that day, the victim went to the Market Police Post but nothing was done. That man was on a DVRO. He was breaking the law.”

She also recalled an incident two months ago when her husband intervened and chased the suspect away from the market.

“As usual, he had come to bother the victim. On that day we were in the market. My husband chased him away. Later, when I was in the bus with my children, he approached the bus,” she claimed.

“He said he could kidnap my son from school. I reported this matter as well but was told by some Police officers that this was not reason enough to question or arrest the man.”

She posted this incident on social media and there were women who said they had similar incidents with DVRO and the Police.

The victim, a market vendor, is still at CWM Hospital, recovering from the injuries she sustained.

It is understood the suspect was found in Kinoya unconscious by a school teacher. His hands were badly injured.

Police confirmed that the suspect was arrested after he was treated at the hospital. Edited by Naisa Koroi

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