Both sides of the Fijian Holdings Limited group alleged sexual harassment saga agree on one thing – they are trusting Police to carry out their work professionally.

Former FHL group chief executive officer, Nouzab Fareed, resigned on Friday and maintained he was clean.

His main reason for resigning was to save the image of the company, which is listed on the (SPSE) and to allow himself the freedom to explain his side of the story.

“I resigned on my own free will and accord. Nobody forced me,” he said.

He said he was looking at legal action against those spreading false information.

Former FHL group chief executive officer, Nouzab Fareed.

Mr Fareed said the issue was perpetrated by people who had an agenda against him. Mr Fareed admitted that he was a ruthless businessman and had taken harsh decision including termination of employees. He said this was an act of revenge by some.

Tanya Waqanika was Head of Content at Fiji TV, a subsidiary of Fijian Holdings Limited, when she left under controversial circumstances. She is now the lawyer of the woman, Judy Wise, who has accused Mr Fareed of alleged sexual harassment. Ms Waqanika stood in the 2018 General Election under the SODELPA banner.

Another SODELPA Member of Parliament and lawyer, Lynda Tabuya, had highlighted the alleged sexual harassment on Facebook on December 6, 2019.

Mr Fareed claims that Ms Tabuya’s involvement in the matter is a popularity stunt trying to increase her fan club.

“Judy now wants to be a voice for women who face sexual harassment at the workplace from men in authority,” wrote Ms Tabuya.

The post was shared over 380 times with 1.5k reactions.

Like Mr Fareed, Ms Wise and her team are trusting that the Police process will take its course.

Last week, Police confirmed that they were still investigating and have yet to submit the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Ms Wise has opted not to talk to the media, on the advice of her lawyer Ms Waqanika.

The allegations by the 22-year-old Ms Wise were initially raised on social media and then followed up by the media. FHL group board of directors had carried out its own internal investigation.

However, the matter was first reported to Police in September. Police, in a statement, had said that the complainant had not been forthcoming after lodging the initial complaint.

Ms Wise is an ex-scholar of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School and was employed at the Fiji Television Limited.

Judy Wise.

She was later transferred to Merchant Finance. It is believed she resigned from her work following the harassment allegation.

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali said the step taken by Ms Wise to call out the alleged harassment should be a good indication for other women that they no longer had to be quiet.

FWCC has had 22 cases where women have come out; of which 70 per cent of the 22 cases were allegedly committed in the workplace.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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