Prosecution Witnesses say Radrodro Resides in Suva
Four prosecution witnesses that took the stand in the Salote Radrodro court trial said that her residential address listed with their organisation was Tacirua Heights in Suva.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) charged the SODELPA Member of Parliament, Radrodro with one count of providing false information to a public servant and one count of obtaining financial advantage.
Radrodro is alleged to have breached the Parliamentary Remuneration Act of 2014 when she claimed travel and accommodation allowances she was not entitled to.
The allegations were brought by the former Parliament SecretaryGeneral, Viniana Namosimalua.
Radrodro is alleged to have falsely stated that her permanent place of residence was in Namulomulo Village, Nabouwalu, Bua, and allegedly obtained $37,921.13 between June 2019 and April 2020.
She was initially charged for the period of August 2019 to April 2020, however, FICAC amended the alleged offence dates to have commenced on June 13, 2019.
The trial is presided by Anti-Corruption High Court Judge Justice
Thushara Kumarage.
Witness: Land Transport Authority complaints officer, Margaret Raleqe
Ms Raleqe testified that as per the Authority’s database, Radrodro’s residential address submitted was Tacirua Heights along with her Suva postal address.
She said the most recent renewal of licence was issued to Radrodro in December 2018 and it was valid until 2024.
She said as per the recent renewal, her residential address remained as Suva.
Radrodro’s lawyer Simione Valenitabua questioned the witness if there were any complaints made to the Authority against Radrodro of her details being incorrect.
Ms Raleqe said no.
Witness: Data analyst from Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), Ashmita Devi
Ms Devi testified that as a taxpayer, Radrodro’s details were provided to the FRCS by herself for tax purposes.
She said that as per the information provided the residential address listed with the FRCS was Tacirua Heights.
Mr Valenitabua questioned the witness if it was possible for a taxpayer to have two addresses.
Ms Devi said the FRCS system only allowed one residential address where the tax-payers resided at.
Witness: Acting IT manager at Post Fiji Limited, Ajay Narayan
Mr Narayan confirmed that the postal box registered with Post Fiji Limited was of Kitione Radrodro.
He also confirmed to the court that the residential address listed with the organisation was Tacirua Heights, Suva.
Mr Narayan while giving an example of postal box registrations said that a person could have a postal box in Suva even if he or she lived in Navua.
Witness: Credit controller at Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), Sharon Ali
Ms Ali testified that the residential EFL account was registered under Kitione Radrodro.
She said it was located at a residential property at Stage 1, Tacirua Heights.
She was also shown EFL bills of Radrodro’s property in Tacirua Heights.
Ms Ali testified that between June 2019 and April 2020, there was electricity usage which Radordro was billed for.
The trial continues on August 1.