Tension High as Commotion Erupts Outside FV Tiro II Court Case

Tension was high between the family of the FV Tiro II vessel victims and the murder accused’s family. This occurred after the 29-year-old, accused of murdering five people onboard the vessel, appeared in court.

Tevita Qaqa Kapawale is alleged to have murdered five people onboard the FV Tiro II in Fiji Waters on May 18, 2021.

Kapawale’s sister caused a huge commotion outside the courtroom yesterday afternoon, verbally fighting with the mother of one of the five victims in presence of the public, media, and Police officers.

The officers tried to calm the accused’s sister, however, she continued to cause the commotion.

Murder accused Tevita Kapawale, 29, outside the Suva Court house on April 7, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

29-year-old Kapawale appeared in Police custody before Magistrate Sherlyn Kiran at the Magistrates Court in Suva.

He is charged with five counts of murder; for the murder of Qiritivabea Cagilabakomeli aged 28, Benjamin Semuel Sukera aged 44, Alfat Kodri aged 37, Eme Warma aged 47, and Samuela Sukera aged 28.

He is also charged with two counts of attempted murder of Kaminieli Tucama aged 47 and Mitieli Cama aged 49.

Police Prosecutor, Constable Sanil Kumar, told the court that the first phase of disclosures was served to the accused.

Kapawale was told of his right to counsel in which he told the court that he wished to apply for assistance from the Legal Aid Commission.

The charges were read to him in the iTaukei language and Kapawale told the court that he understood the seven charges laid against him.

Prosecutor Constable Kumar sought the court’s diligence to have the matter transferred to the High Court in Suva as the offences Kapawale faced were indictable.

Magistrate Kiran transferred the matter to the High Court and it would be called for mention on April 21.

Kapawale has been remanded in custody at the Suva Remand Centre.

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