‘I can pay it back, it’s not much’ – Saukuru

The Minister for Youth and Sports is willing to repay the cost of his wife’s business class airfare to New Zealand.

The offer comes after questions were raised about the use of a Fiji Sports Council (FSC) and Fiji Airways travel benefit.

More than $2300 was allegedly covered under a contra arrangement for the trip to a rugby sevens tournament in January last year.

The matter surfaced after complaints alleging misuse of council benefits involving Ratu Gilbert Vakalalabure who, at the time, was executive chair of FSC.

Mr Vakalalabure was investigated by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) but has since been cleared.

Minister Jese Saukuru said he and his wife accepted the invitation “in good faith” and did not expect it to lead to a complaint.

“I did not know it was going to go this way,” he said.

“If need be, I can pay. It’s nothing much, nothing hard. Just to clear our name — we were both invited by FSC to go on that trip and we respected the invitation.”

Mr Vakalalabure was first appointed to the FSC board by Mr Saukuru before being named acting CEO in March 2023.

He was confirmed as CEO in October last year.

FICAC silent

Meanwhile, FICAC has not publicly explained its decision to clear Mr Vakalalabure.

Mr Saukuru confirmed the council received a letter from FICAC last week stating that Mr Vakalalabure had been found “not guilty”.

The letter was shared with board members during a meeting on Monday.

Asked about the basis of the decision, Mr Saukuru said: “They only wrote that he was found not guilty. Ask the details with FICAC, I am not FICAC.”

Questions sent to acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika were not answered when this publication went to press.

Ms Rokoika is Mr Vakalalabure’s sister-in-law. She is married to his brother, Ratu Tevita.

Contacted by phone, Ms Rokoi.ka said she had seen the questions but was too busy to comment.

“I will respond when I have the time,” she said.

Claims of misuse

Complaints were lodged in May last year alleging misuse of FSC and Fiji Airways travel benefits.

It is alleged Mr Vakalalabure flew his wife from New Zealand to Fiji on a business class ticket under the same arrangement.

He was also accused of authorising business class travel for the wife of a Cabinet minister.