Parents front court

THE parents of a seven-year-old girl who died from her illness and buried on the same day without a proper burial order appeared before Justice Aruna Aluthge in the High Court in Lautoka charged with manslaughter and restriction of burial of a dead body.

The court heard that Laisiasa Rokobici

and Ruci Kalokalo of Tavua allegedly failed to take their sick daughter, Alanieta Drua Naituva, to the hospital between December of 2020 and February 2021.

Criminal investigative officer Corporal Tomasi Cabecuva told the court that in his initial statement to police, Mr Rokobici had said they did not seek medical intervention for their daughter because it was against their religious belief.

Mr Rokobici told police her daughter had been experiencing body and stomach complications during that period and was only given lemon juice accompanied by prayers. His statement said he did not understand that it was unlawful to bury his daughter without a burial order and that he did not believe in the laws of the land because they were ungodly.

A key State witness Alipate Vuki informed the court that it was solely the parents’ decision to bury their daughter on the day she died.

Mr Vuki said about 30 people lived in his house who were followers of the Yavu Vatu ni Vanua — a group that teaches that the iTaukei people needed to know themselves better and be aware of who they were.

The couple represented themselves and opted not to cross-examine the witness, relying on the earlier statements they’d provided to the police.

The trial continues today.