Miscommunication at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Office has once again led to delaying an important court proceeding.

This was strongly worded by Magistrate Seini Puamau during the case of Freesoul Real Estate Development (Fiji) PTE Limited at the Magistrates Court in Suva yesterday. Freesoul Real Estate Development (Fiji) PTE Limited has been found guilty and convicted for two counts of undertaking unauthorised developments.

DPP’s senior counsel and officer in the carriage of the matter, Meli Vosawale, was supposed to appear for the sentencing hearing of the case, however, the DPP’s counsel, Zenith Zunaid, told the court that Mr Vosawale requested another date as soon as possible as he was not aware of the proceedings.

Magistrate Puamau said she did not know why the State, who were supposed to assist the Court, constantly found themselves at the wrong end.

Mr Zunaid told the court that the DPP’s officers were working from home, however, Magistrate Puamau said she worked from home, defence counsel David Toganivalu worked from home, and they were present in court.

Magistrate Puamau said: “The agency with a multimillion budget and vast technology, despite given a two-week prior notice, the officer is not present. This is not what I expect from a premier criminal law officer in this country.

“The excuse given by the DPP’s Office is not acceptable,” Magistrate Puamau said.

Mr Zunaid told the court that there was a miscommunication from the Court Registry to their office as Mr Vosawale on August 25, received a call for the matter to be called via Skype and the date would be advised in time.

He told the court that as per Mr Vosawale, no further communication was relayed to him or the office.

Mr Toganivalu told the court that he initiated a letter to the Registry following the directives of proceedings.

Magistrate Puamau then said upon receiving the letter, she had issued a directive and the same was informed to both parties by the Registry.

Mr Toganivalu told the court that he was informed of yesterday’s date (September 14) by a call from the Registry two weeks ago and was informed that there would be a Skype call test on Monday.

Magistrate Puamau then said that history had shown a massive miscommunication within the DPP’s Office and that she could not believe the DPP’s office was not notified of the proceedings.

“It may have been whoever was present at the Registry dropped the ball on this and if I was an officer in the carriage of any case, especially a case like this, I would be anxious about it,” she said.

“Follow-ups are particularly important. Go back as a team and figure out where the shortfall happened.”

The sentencing hearing has been adjourned until this afternoon.

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