The Ratu Epenisa Cakobau “resignation letter” saga is still shrouded in mystery after Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya yesterday denied writing the letter.

She was the last of the five female SODELPA Members of Parliament to respond in the hunt to establish which of them was involved.

She said: “I did not write that letter. According to fijilive in an online article yesterday (Sunday) the General Secretary Lenaitasi Duru has confirmed that the letter is fake.”

However, Mr Duru denied Ms Tabuya’s claims.

“I didn’t say it was fake. I said without my endorsement and stamped as received, it cannot be considered as officially received. So I asked the reporter from fijilive if my signature and received stamp was on the document they cited. He replied that it wasn’t so I said then the resignation is not official then.

“I did ask him for the source of the letter though.”

Fijilive commented yesterday saying they stand by what was published in their report.

It has been established that the letter was indeed written and Ratu Epenisa has a copy in his possession which was never delivered.

A female SODELPA MP had approached him about signing the letter which he did because he thought it was the right thing to do. But he never had it delivered to Mr Duru after he was met by party leader Viliame Gavoka and Mr Duru.

Ratu Epenisa could not be reached for a comment yesterday but last week he confirmed that he had not resigned.

SODELPA MPs Tanya Waqanika, Salote Radrodro and Adi Litia Qionibaravi denied any involvement in drafting the letter while Ro Teimumu Kepa said “no comment.”

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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