Man jailed for manslaughter after fatal sea clash in Taveuni

A 62‑year‑old man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison after a heated argument at sea near Qamea Island in Taveuni led to the death of Jona Maivusa in 2023.

Muritikei Rasiga was initially charged with one count of act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, one count of murder, and two counts of attempted murder in the High Court in Labasa yesterday.

After hearing evidence from five prosecution witnesses, the court found there was proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Rasiga was convicted on one count of aggregate manslaughter and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Justice Thusara Rajasinghe sentenced Rasiga to an aggregate term of three years’ imprisonment for manslaughter.

The sentence was reduced to two years and six months in consideration of his unblemished record, advanced age, and standing as the Mata‑ni‑tikina of Laucala.

Rasiga had earlier been denied bail due to the seriousness of the offence and spent six months on remand.

The court took this period into account and imposed a non‑parole period of six months.

The court heard that on January 27, 2023, Maivusa and two other men were travelling in a fibreglass boat, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, when they passed Rasiga’s boat.

It was alleged that Maivusa and one of his companions were shouting and swearing as they passed, prompting Rasiga to approach them.

Rasiga then struck Maivusa on the head with a wooden oar, leading to a confrontation.

During the incident, Maivusa stood up and jumped into the sea, where he later drowned. His body was found several days later.

Justice Rajasinghe said the victim’s family, including his wife and young son, had suffered significant emotional and financial hardship, and described the level of harm as substantially high.

Rasiga has 30 days to file an appeal with the Fiji Court of Appeal.