Labasa brothers file police complaint after alleged assault in drain

A passenger who was allegedly beaten by two men inside a flooded drain near a sugarcane farm at Cawaira, Labasa has lodged a complaint with the Labasa Police Station.

The complaint was made yesterday after the victim saw a video of the incident circulating on social media. The footage captured only part of what occurred last Saturday afternoon.

Outside Labasa Hospital, the victim, Epeli Asaisea, 22, signalled that he was unable to speak because of pain in his head and body following the alleged assault.

His younger brother, Akuila Matawaqa, who was also allegedly assaulted, recounted the incident.

Asaisea, outside of Labasa Hospital on November 30, 2025.

Photo: Shratika Naidu

“My brother and I accompanied our aunty, uncle, and a cousin to a family gathering in Siberia. We called a private vehicle around 4pm to take us home to Malau,” Mr Matawaqa said.

“Since my brother was drunk, they told him to lie down in the trunk, and he fell asleep.”

He said their aunty sat in front while three males occupied the back seat.

On the way home, he said, Epeli woke up because of the heat in the trunk and panicked when he realised where he was.

“In panic, he punched the back glass of the car. That’s when the driver contacted the car owner,” Mr Matawaqa said.

“The car owner arrived with several men and they assaulted us.”

He alleged that Epeli was repeatedly held under the flooded water before being further assaulted. Police were then called.

Mr Matawaqa said Police officers arrested his brother but released him a few hours later after their parents paid the car owner $500 for the broken glass, after which the owner withdrew his report.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wame Bautolu confirmed Police had received a report and that investigations were underway.

“Epeli couldn’t sleep on Saturday night because of the pain in his head, so we brought him to hospital yesterday and reported the matter after the video went viral,” Mr Matawaqa said.

“My brother doesn’t deserve such inhumane treatment. In actual fact, no one does."