RFMF owned and corrected misinformation, says minister

Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya says the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) took responsibility for putting out misinformation about the death of Jone Vakarisi, and she is thankful they corrected it themselves.

“I thank the RFMF. They actually took responsibility for what you would call misinformation, which is unintentional, but is out there anyway,” Ms Tabuya said.

The RFMF’s first statement described Jone Vakarisi’s death as a sudden medical emergency during questioning at Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

A second statement was later released correcting the account. Police have since classified the death as murder.

Ms Tabuya said neither she nor the Government needed to step in.

“Government did not have to do it. I thank the Commander, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai for taking responsibility and coming back out to correct the misinformation in the first press release, so that we didn’t have to do it.”

She also clarified that the RFMF managed its own communications independently.

“Operationally, the RFMF is separate from the Ministry of Information. They are able to put out their own statements on their operations.” Ms Tabuya said the public now had a clearer picture of the situation. Police investigations into Vakarisi’s death are ongoing.