SODELPA stays out of dispute

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) will stay out of the dispute between Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu and his permanent secretary Jone Navakamocea after the ministry confirmed legal action.

Party general secretary Simione Rasova said the working committee met yesterday and unanimously agreed to leave the matter to the law.

“Everything is now in the hands of the law. We will not participate because if we interfere, it does not go well,” Mr Rasova told this masthead.

He said Mr Vasu had contacted the party, asking it not to get involved as the matter was already before his legal counsel and the Public Service Commission (PSC).

“It’s an iTaukei matter, not a SODELPA issue,” Mr Rasova said.

Party leader Aseri Radrodro was not at the meeting as he was touring Lau.

Mr Rasova said 13 working committee members discussed the issue and agreed unanimously.

Both Mr Vasu and Mr Navakamocea are SODELPA members.

In a statement, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs confirmed it had referred the matter to legal counsel and warned legal action could extend to those who share or republish the allegations.

“These legal proceedings will also extend to any individual or party who shares, republishes, or adds to false and defamatory claims,” the statement said.

The ministry described Mr Navakamocea’s public comments as “false, malicious and defamatory” and said his conduct and employment had been referred to the Public Service Commission.

The dispute began last Friday when Mr Navakamocea made allegations against Mr Vasu on Facebook, including claims linking him to convicted drug trafficker Jason Zhong.