Vakalalabure, Senibulu sent on paid leave pending probe

The fate of Fiji Sports Council (FSC) chief executive officer Gilbert Vakalalabure and operations manager Litia Senibulu will depend on the outcome of independent investigation which starts today.

The duo had been sent on leave with pay pending investigation.

They are at the forefront of the new allegations levelled at the FSC by a whistleblower last year.

Yesterday, FSC deputy board chairman Peter Mazey announced Pherrus Financial Services as their investigator. The Sydney-based accounting firm has an office in Suva.

16 issues have been outlined in the Terms of Reference, which is expected to be completed in four weeks.

Mazey said if some allegations are true it would have to come back to the board to decide on the next steps.

“If it is a situation that might have to be referred back to FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption) again or to the Police, that’s what would happen. It’s not a closed investigation, it’s one to come up with the answers,” Mazey said.

These issues include the contra deals between Fiji Airways and FSC, which was allegedly abused by Vakalalabure when it covered the travel of the Minister for Youth and Sports’ spouse to a sevens tournament in New Zealand last year.

The contra deals also covered travel expenses for Vakalalabure’s wife who travelled from New Zealand to attend a family function.

Other issues to be covered in the first week of the probe are the FSC’s Under-20’s rugby 7s Hamilton trip, U20’s 7s team. the sponsored sports tournaments and the restructure of operations and staffing, which included pay rise.

“The most important thing is that the investigation had to be undertaken by a team capable of doing it and also was totally independent. It has to be a totally transparent investigation and they have the ability to do it,” Mazey said.

The firm was required to sign a conflict of interest agreement. The investigation costs $50k.

“We are hopeful that they will not find anything bad here that they’ll have to investigate further because they will then have an opportunity to put the price up. We don’t want that but we think it’s a very good deal.”

The second week of investigation includes Vakalalabure’s appointment as executive chair and CEO, his driver’s overtime for private use of vehicle, staff engagement, contracts and tender processes as well as motor vehicles.

Mazey said the board was surprised to see some of the allegations, which was addressed by the media and some social media users. The third week sees the probe of rampant mismanagement and unathorised expenses, response to board resolution, staff concerns and reported breaches of policies. It also includes the agreement with Infinite Power Clean Energy Limited, SportsWorx agreement and the Pacific Procurement Management and Investment services.

A report will be presented to the Minister of Youth and Sports then to Cabinet at the completion of the independent investigation. Vakalalabure was investigated by FICAC on some of these issues and was cleared by his sister-in-law Lavi Rokoika. Rokoika is married to Vakalalabure’s brother and lawyer Tevita Tangaroa.