Vakalalabure investigation report completed

The Fiji Sports Council (FSC) board has reviewed the investigation report of its chief executive officer Ratu Gilbert Vakalalabure and is now awaiting legal opinion on issues raised.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) executive chairman Peter Mazey. He highlighted that the FSC investigation is a report that includes all issues as per\ the Terms of Reference issued by the FSC board.

“The FSC board has reviewed it and now awaiting the legal opinion on the various issues raised in the report.”

When asked if the report could be handed over to Police, Mazey said: “The report will be handed to the Police under their search warrant once we receive the legal opinion on issues raised in the report.

“Currently CID (Criminal Investigation Department) are undertaking a separate investigation which was not instigated by the FSC but by other people.”

This masthead had reported that in a special FSC board meeting on February 17, the board reviewed the presentations of allegations with supporting evidence currently being delivered through local media and social media platforms.

After discussions it was resolved that the board will not dwell on the FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption) ruling as the FICAC case has been closed, and it will appoint an independent investigator to examine the fresh allegations levelled against FSC.

TERMS OF REFERENCES

• The investigation in the contra deals with Fiji Airways and others, the Fiji Sports Council Under-20’s rugby 7s Hamilton Trip, the Sports Council U20s 7s team and Council sponsored sports tournaments and the restructure of operations and staffing including pay rises.
• Investigation includes Vakalalabure’s appointment as executive chairman indefinitely, CEO appointment, driver overtime for private use, staff engagement, contracts and tender processes, and motor vehicles.
• Investigation includes alleged rampant mismanagement and unauthorised expenses, response to board resolution, staff concerns and reported breaches of policy and or law, agreement with Infinite Power Clean Energy Ltd, SportsWorx Agreement - Brett Jenkins and Pacific Procurement Management and Investment Services.

Saukuru matter

Meanwhile, Mazey clarified that the matter concerning the reinstated Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru was a separate one.

He said it was investigated by Pherrus Financial Services and their report was handed to the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka who has the powers to appoint all ministers.