RFMF investigates armoury security breach

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has launched an internal investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the disappearance of a pistol from its armoury at the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp (Blackrock Camp) in Nadi on September 25.

The pistol, believed to be a (U.S 9mm.M9-BERETTA USA – 65490), was removed from the camp without permission and record by an air-conditioning technician, Sitiveni Tavakece of Solovi, Nadi, last month.

He was prosecuted and sent to jail last by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court after he pleaded guilty to the theft.

The pistol has since been returned to the RFMF.

An RFMF spokesperson yesterday told this masthead that the RFMF would ensure that those involved in the security breach would be taken to task.

The spokesperson confirmed that apart from the pistol, other items also went missing from the camp.

“The RFMF acknowledges the incident that took place at the Blackrock Camp in Nadi of the missing pistol as reported to Police,” the spokesperson said.

“The RFMF is conducting its internal investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the disappearance of the weapon.

“We ensure that those involved in the security breach will be taken to task. The public can be assured that this is a one-off incident and they do not need to be alarmed.”

Minister reassures

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua has reassured the public that all RFMF arms are kept in safe and secure armouries.

Mr Tikoduadua said such cases question the safety and security of people, especially if such arms went missing from inside the Blackrock Camp.

He said all measures had been put in place to keep everything under control and not to be repeated.

“Let me reassure the public that the RFMF recognises what happened,” he said.

“It is sad to say it has happened and we’re fixing the process to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

He said the law and the court had done their part.

Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua. Photo: Leon Lord

Pistol theft accused sentenced to jail 

Last Friday, The Nadi Magistrate’s Court sentenced Tavakece, 24, to nine months and 19 days in jail for illegally removing the pistol.

He appeared before Magistrate Semi Babitu after being charged with two counts of theft and one count of possession of arms without license. He pleaded guilty to three counts.

The 24-year-old was alleged to be found in unlawful possession of a pistol.

The court heard that Tavakece, on September 25, dishonestly illegally removed (appropriated) a pistol valued at $1500 and three souvenir medals belonging to the RFMF.

Magistrate Babitu sentenced him to prison, and for his third count, fined him $1000.

Pistol specification

According to rifle website sources, the Beretta M9 is a semi-automatic pistol used by the United States Armed Forces.

The M9 was adopted by the U.S military as their service pistol in 1985.

The M9 is a short recoil, semi-automatic, single-action/double-action pistol that uses a 15-round staggered box magazine with a reversible magazine release button that can be positioned for either right or left-handed shooters.

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