Fiji Sports Council to appoint independent investigator

New allegations of claims that the Fiji Sports Council (FSC) accounts were depleted will be investigated by an independent investigator. 

FSC board chairman, Peniasi Sokia confirmed this in a press statement released on Saturday night. 

This was after SUNSports highlighted that the board was silent following the surface of the new allegations two weeks ago as questions sent to Sokia were not answered. 

The statement said the full board of six members present, had a special meeting on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, with the sole agenda to review the allegations with supporting documents to discuss and consider the board’s actions to be taken. 

Board members appointed by the Minister for Sports, Jese Saukuru are Peter Mazey, Makarita Lenoa, Della Shaw-Elder, Sokia, Semesa Karavaki and Santesh Shiv Anand who is the board secretary. 

“It was resolved and approved by all board members. The board will appoint an independent investigator to examine the fresh allegations levelled against the Fiji Sports Council,” Sokia said. 

“Currently we’re taking professional auditors and investigators to ascertain their availability to immediately undertake a full investigation. Until such time an appointment is made, I regret I cannot comment further,” he added.

The new allegations include claims that FSC accounts were depleted during Gilbert Vakalalabure’s chairmanship in 2023. A significant reduction was observed in three FSC accounts— from $2 million to $32,000 by February 2024. 

This was among several complaints filed by a whistleblower with FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption) in March 2025. Vakalalabure was initially investigated by FICAC but was cleared by Acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika. She is married to Tevita Tangaroa, Vakalalabure’s brother and lawyer. 

Vakalalabure was part of the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) campaign team during the 2022 General Election. Several complaints were filed against him, including the alleged abuse of a contra deal with Fiji Airways.

The arrangement was reportedly used to pay for a business-class ticket for Saukuru’s wife for a trip to New Zealand in January, last year. 

Saukuru has indicated he would pay for the ticket. 

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has also ordered an independent probe into FSC allegations. 

In a statement released on Friday night, Rabuka said Saukuru was told an independent investigation will be commissioned into allegations relating to his wife’s January 2025 travel. 

However, Rabuka said the allegations of FSC’s $1.6 million loss was never brought to his attention. 

Questions remain about who will conduct the ‘independent investigation’. 

Media ban clarified 

FSC said a miscommunication with security personnel led to journalists being turned away from the national stadium on Saturday. 

FSC chief operations officer Litia Senibulu said there was no directive to ban the media from covering events at council facilities. 

Her comments follow an incident in which several journalists, including those from this newspaper, were stopped at the gate while attempting to cover sporting events. 

Security officers told journalists the media was banned from covering events at the premises and stopped their vehicle from entering Waisale Serevi Road. 

They said the directive had come from chief executive officer Vakalalabure. Senibulu said this was not the instruction given to security staff. 

“The security was supposed to tell them (media) to get their passes from our office, including vehicle passes. We will release a statement soon.”