High seas killer jailed for life
Judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere convicted Kapawale for his five counts of murder and a count each of attempted murder and criminal intimidation.
Monday 11 August 2025 | 22:30
Tevita Qaqa Kapawale outside the High Court in Suva on July 11, 2025. Photo: Ronald Kumar
A brutal five-year-old murder case involving the deaths of three Indonesian and two Fijian crew members aboard the FV Tiro II has finally reached its conclusion, with 38-year-old Tevita Qaqa Kapawale sentenced to life imprisonment of 26 years and two months.
Families of the victims, and of Kapawale himself, packed the High Court in Suva this morning as Justice Dane Tuiqereqere handed down the sentence. Kapawale was convicted on five counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of criminal intimidation.
The crimes date back to May 18, 2021, when Kapawale threatened Chief Engineer Eme Warme, Chief Cook Alfat Kodri, Benjamin Matitatuputty, Samuela Sukera, and Qiritivabea Cagilabakomeli, forcing them to jump overboard and leaving them to fend for themselves at sea.
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He also attempted to murder Kaminieli Tucama and criminally intimidated Mitieli Cama.
More details in tomorrow’s Fiji Sun newspaper.
