Four more SODELPA members have been banned from attending Management Board and Committee meetings.

They bring to seven the total number of members alleged to have been working against party interest.

The first three are Adi Litia Qionibaravi, Gilbert Vakalalabure and Ratu Tevita Komaisavai.

The names of the additional four are yet to be released.

Yesterday’s Management Board meeting in Suva at the Southern Cross Hotel decided that the ban would remain, pending investigations into the allegations.

Six of them were named in a list of people who were copied in an email sent by Mataiasi Lomaloma, the chief campaigner for Sitiveni Rabuka’s proposed political party.

The seventh member was banned over a social media post.

The seven were not allowed to attend the Management Board meeting yesterday.

The continuation of the ban was confirmed by SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka after a marathon meeting yesterday.

The seven received a letter from SODEPLA president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau instructing them not to attend.

“I am very grateful that we have a president that acted decisively to disallow them from entering the meeting,” Mr Gavoka said.

“Because the law is very clear on this, if we accommodate them today and there are allegations that they are involved in another party, we can be taken to task.

“I am grateful that the president did what he had to do.

“An investigative committee has been set up to hear their story and we will see what comes out from it.

“The investigation will determine if they were involved in Rabuka’s party.

“They will be told that investigations will be taken and that they are still part of the party and for the reason that they cannot serve two masters.”

He said they were still part of the party but would not be involved in party affairs.

“The question of fairness came up but primary to our role is to protect the party.

“No one who is involved in the formation of a proposed political party should be a member of an active political party.”

He also confirmed that the Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem was not involved in any deliberations to ban the three from the meeting.

SODELPA Nasinu constituency president Lynda Tabuya said: “Like anyone, people should be given the right to respond if there are any allegations.”

Ms Qionibaravi when approached for a comment told the Fiji Sun reporter to move away.

CONSTITUTION REVIEW

Mr Gavoka said there was a presentation from the constitution review committee by Semesa Karavaki who made recommendations for amendments to the party constitution.

“Our constitution dialogue will be carried out and it will be taken to every constituency for their input,” he said.

“It will also be translated to the native tongue and further dialogue will occur in April.”

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022

Mr Gavoka said: “I presented a paper on the funding and we expect to raise sufficient amounts to enable it to campaign properly for 2022.

“We shall be having a retreat in April to solidify the plans that were laid out today.

“We are very positive about 2022 and the support from the Management Board has been very overwhelming.”

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