Authorities to determine next course of action for Saukuru

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the next step regarding former Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

Mr Saukuru dismissed today from the Youth and Sports portfolio, with Mr Rabuka temporarily assuming responsibility for the ministry.

Mr Rabuka said authorities would determine the next course of action once the investigation is completed.

“At the end of the investigation they will determine whether anyone is culpable, whether administratively or criminally, and we will take it from there,” he said.

He said there was no fixed timeframe for the completion of the investigation.

“It depends on the progress of the investigations,” Rabuka said.

Mr Rabuka added that if the investigation finds no wrongdoing, the matter will not be taken any further and the position will be reinstated back to the Saukuru.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Aliki Bia earlier said he remains ready to assist with the ministry’s operations during the transition.

“I’m ready to continue assisting the coalition government and the daily operations of the ministry,” Bia said.