I love you, don’t go anywhere, wait for my return.

These were Jone Rusiate’s last words to his wife, Siteri Raikoro a few hours before his tragic death in Labasa on Sunday night.

He died allegedly in a conflict.

Ms Raikoro said around 4pm she accompanied her husband to Skyrise Lodge in Labasa Town.

“He hugged, kissed me and told me he was going somewhere with my phone and would return soon,” Ms Raikoro said.

She waited until 7pm before returning to their house in Naodamu, Labasa.

She was awoken at around 9pm by her older sister, who asked her to freshen up because they were going out somewhere.

In the taxi on the way to Labasa Hospital Ms Raikoro’s sister told her that Jone had passed away.

“I couldn’t believe my ears until I saw him at Labasa Hospital and since then couldn’t stop crying,” she said.

Although they didn’t have children during their 17 years of marriage, she said her 46-year-old husband of Nasekula Village, Labasa never made her feel lonely.

“He was jovial, welcoming anyone he found even on the street to come home for lunch, dinner or to stay,” she said.

His last job was with the Water Authority of Fiji in 2019.

Last month, Ms Raikoro’s contract with Save the Children Fiji expired and has since performed domestic duties.

Police probe death

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed the incident.

“At round 7pm last Sunday, a 50-year-old farmer of Korotari, Labasa drove motor vehicle along Nasikasika cane access road when another vehicle driven by a 58-year-old man of Wailevu, Labasa, allegedly coming from the opposite direction and collided with his vehicle,” she said.

“The suspect allegedly got out of the vehicle with one of his passengers and allegedly threw things at the other driver’s vehicle.

“The suspect then got into the car and while reversing his car, he
allegedly ran over his passenger, allegedly resulting in his death.”

The suspect hasn’t been questioned yet as he is admitted in Labasa Hospital.

Witness claims

Nitesh Kumar Sharma, who is one of the prime witnesses, said an argument was initially started by the suspect, who is said to be a Labasa lawyer.

Mr Sharma said the lawyer arrived with a female friend to have a picnic at Korotari River and somehow his vehicle got stuck in the river.

“He called my uncle and sought help, so I went to move the vehicle.”

Mr Sharma said around 5pm his uncle was coming out from his driveway to go somewhere with his family (wife, four children and brother).

He requested the lawyer shift his vehicle as it was blocking their way.

He said the lawyer started swearing at them and an argument broke out.

“I then asked him (the lawyer) to give me the key and then I moved the vehicle to the side.”

Mr Sharma claimed the lawyer was allegedly intoxicated and threatened their family.

After a few minutes he said a taxi arrived, dropped off two men, one of whom was Jone Rusiate.

He said they got into the lawyer’s vehicle, accompanied by the female friend.

“I was on my way home when I suddenly heard a loud sound like two vehicles collided,” Mr Sharma said.

“My daughter yelled out to me to save the four girls as they were running away from two men, shouting for help.”

He said there was an argument at the scene.

“I called the Korotari villagers and Police for help but during that time he (the lawyer) had allegedly reversed his vehicle and ran over the deceased ,” he said.

“All my extended families are in shock; none of the children have gone to school or university as they are in fear.”

He said so many people witnessed what happened that night.