Issue No: 641; 30 March 2001

The PSC yesterday announced a civil servant and a former diplomat, who himself was involved in breaches of civil service regulations when he was a diplomat, to lead the "inquiry" into Samanunu.

Sakiusa Rabuka, the acting Permanent Secretary for Justice, was appointed yesterday by the PSC to conduct the inquiry into the breach of the Public Service Code of Conduct by Samanunu. Others in the civil service team are Semesa Karavaki from the Solicitor General's office, and Maca Tulakepa from the PSC.

The PSC stated that the team's terms of reference include "among other things the establishment of facts surrounding involvement of Adi Samanunu Talakuli Cakobau in the events following May 19th, 2000 at Parliamentary Complex and at Government House. It will also establish facts and report on Adi Samanunu Talakuli Cakobau's involvement in the meeting of the Bose ni Turaga ni Vanua held in the confines of the Parliamentary Complex on July 12, 2000."

The inquiry is set to begin on 17 April with a report expected by 4 May.

The PSC drew heavy criticism for its lack of interest in bringing about disciplinary proceedings against civil servants involved with the terrorists. Numerous civil servants, Talakuli included, were actively involved with the terrorists in taking over the Parliamentary Complex and holding the government hostage. Some civil servants had abandoned their posts to join the terrorists. So far, not a single civil servant has been disciplined. In Talakuli's case, it took the PSC over 10 months to set up an inquiry team.