Tribunals Work At Their Own Pace: Rabuka

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says tribunals appointed to hear the cases of suspended Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho and suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde will work independently at their own pace.

He was responding to questions on why the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) was taking its time on the appointment of a tribunal

to hear the cases of the two suspended public officer holders.

Brigadier-General Qiliho was suspended on January 30, 2023 and Mr Pryde was suspended on April 13, both on allegations of misbehaviour.

The two were suspended pending a tribunal and they continue to receive full pay.

When queried on what was the delay in the appointment of a tribunal, Mr Rabuka said there was progress already noted by the COC.

“We have received the complaints and then we appoint the tribunal to investigate. We will not interfere in what they do or the work of investigation they will carry out,” Mr Rabuka said.

“They work at their own pace and we do not interfere.

They are free to operate without interference from government.”

He added that the COC would only appoint the various commissioners, boards, tribunals but the work they carry out was independent.

When questioned on how government could afford paying the suspended officials full pay while the two acting in the position were also being paid, Mr Rabuka said:

“That is respect for their contract, if that is what their contract says then we cannot interfere.”

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Suspended Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho. Suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde Photo: Ronald Kumar