Man Dies After ‘Trying to Stop Drunk’
A31-year-old farmer’s good intention to stop a troublemaker ended in tragedy as he lost his life allegedly at the hands of the man he was going to help.
Deceased is Joseva Leka, from Naisogo Settlement in Sawani, Nausori.
His wife, Loraini Lewa, 26, had difficulty explaining to their children why their father was not coming home.
She said it was around 1am on Sunday when her husband was woken by the loud ruckus being made by a group of men from the same settlement. They were drinking alcohol at a shed close to their home. She said her husband went to tell the crowd to quieten down because people were sleeping.
She said, it was then when one of them allegedly punched Mr Leka on the face.
“He came back inside and started complaining that he was feeling weak. He asked for some water but vomited after drinking it,” she said in the iTaukei language.
“We took him to Nausori Hospital around 2am. The doctors had a look at him and kept him at the hospital. He was still complaining that he was feeling weak and getting weaker.”
Ms Lewa said her husband passed away around 6am. She said when she came home, her elder children, Merewalesi Nabeqa, 8, and Nora Vunica, 6, were asking where their father was.
The couple’s youngest child, Malaka Vidavikia, is eight-month-old. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the victim was allegedly assaulted while trying to stop the drunk suspect, also a farmer from the same settlement.
Ms Naisoro said the suspect was causing trouble.
The suspect is now in Police custody. A post-mortem examination will be conducted tomorrow, Ms Naisoro said.