Three men in Nawaka were each fined $1000 by the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday for breaking the socialising ban to drink kava.

Magistrate Peni Dalituicama sentenced the men to six months imprisonment for violating social gathering orders imposed by the Government in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The trio are Noa Vatutu, a 39-year-old bulk attendant at the Nadi Hospital, Livai Volavola, 32, assistant manager and Koroi Tuikacivi, 28, a storeman.

They are charged with one count each of failure to comply with orders – social gathering. The court heard that they were arrested at Nawaka drinking kava at Volavola’s house at 1.30pm on April 19.

They had pleaded guilty and sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Breaching curfew order

In a separate case, Serupepeli Bogisa of Vunavou Street, Nadi, was also fined $1000 by the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to breaching the curfew order.

The accused was arrested around 8.20pm in Nadi Town on April 18.

Magistrate Peni Dalituicama sentenced the man to six months imprisonment for violating curfew orders imposed by the Government in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. His sentence has been suspended for 18 months.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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