Fraud Claims In SODELPA?

A complaint has been lodged against SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka and general secretary Le­naitasi Duru claiming information on a document submitted to the court was falsified.

Documents obtained by the Fiji Sun show a letter of complaint to the party president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau by Suva Constituency president Watisoni Nata.

In the letter, Mr Nata claimed that Mr Gavoka submitted a document to the court stating that a board meeting of the party took place on August 6, 2021 where it was agreed that Mr Gavoka would rep­resent the party in the Court of Disputed Returns in the matter against member Mosese Bulitavu.

Mr Nata goes on to state that no such meeting took place and the document where the general secretary had signed had been falsified.

The document had formed part of the af­fidavit to the court regarding the SODEL­PA case in the Court of Disputed Returns. The document was later withdrawn.

Mr Nata further stated that such an ac­tion questioned the integrity of the party leader and general secretary.

When contacted last week Mr Duru con­firmed stepping aside for an investiga­tion to take place.

On Friday SODELPA released a press statement saying it was the right of any financial member to lodge a complaint which would be dealt with in accordance with the party’s procedure as stipulated in their constitution.

The statement said the party was dis­appointed that internal correspondence was being leaked to the media.

The statement was signed by Mr Duru.

Mr Gavoka did not respond to queries when this edition went to press.

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