A mutineer’s regret
Valeniyasana returns home after 23 years in jail
Part 1
HE was a Lieutenant with the Fiji Military Forces based in Labasa. He had worked hard to become an officer, but at the height of the May 2000 coup in Fiji everything changed. Former Lt Nemani Valeniyasana made the decision to join a rebellion to stage a mutiny at the military barracks in Labasa.
He knew the consequences and believed his actions were true. He and 57 soldiers stormed the camp, but their victory was short-lived and soon their actions deemed disloyal and a betrayal to the nation.
Consequently he was arrested and charged with the unlawfully seizing and control of the Labasa army barracks and its lawful commander. Branded as mutineers, he and 57 others were jailed by a Court Martial in 2003.
All ties with family were cut and there began the life of Nemani Valeniyasana in incarceration.
Nemani was sentenced to life behind bars and over the next few days began his trial and tribulation as he thought of his children, and wife — who were let to fend for themselves.
This is a story of man’s fall from grace. Everyday he stared at the same sunrise that his family woke up to, but in reality they were far from each other.
That man who served more than two decades in jail for his crime and 23 years later set free through a presidential pardon this year.
Nemani is one of the coup prisoners released along with Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Timoci Silatolu and Josefa Nata by the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
He finally breaks his silence as he goes on record to talk about his experience entailed with a broken heart, a wife left to sell food parcels for a living and a dad who disappeared for 23 years from his children.
“I’ve learnt to live with my mistake and I spent 23 years of my life behind bars for that. I wish I could turn back the hands of time, but this is my pain and I will live with it forever,” Nemani said.
“When I went in I knew it would be a long time. I recall during my first few weeks, I kept a positive attitude following the rules within the walls. Amid the anxiety I saw prison as a learning place for new things.
“But honestly it wasn’t easy because the harrowing feeling of being incarcerated was inevitable. I became overwhelmed with worry and regret. I missed my family so much, my beautiful children and every day I worried for them.”
Over the weeks insomnia hit. Nemani said his nights were very cold and lonely like an ache that tormented him.
“There were many nights when a grown man like me trembled in tears.
“I knew there was no man at home to look after my wife and four daughters so a lot of things were going through my mind.
There were so many things running around in my head, anger, sorrow, regret, God, family, loneliness. The unforeseen future seemed troubling.
“I really… really wished I could turn back time and return home to be the father and husband I was supposed to be. But I never will!
Nemani said he lost a piece of himself in prison, surrounded by the tall concrete walls and razor sharp barb wire. Confined in the gloomy space there was just no other place to run.
“Apart from conversations with other inmates and outdoor time, one of my biggest obstacles was controlling my thoughts. In prison you have a lot of time to think and uneasy thoughts can easily drive a man crazy.
“Prison restricted me to doing only three activities a day — exercise, meals and prayers.
“You do nothing else in there except to pray and read the Bible,” he said.
While Nemani rustled with the unbearable fate of spending the rest of his life at the Korovou Prison, his wife and children desperately fought to stay above water.
Nemani was the sole-bread-winner of his family and like many other prisoners, families could only take so much before they broke up. There was nothing a dad could do for his children in prison but leave them to squander without his leadership.
“My older brother Kitione Kauvere became my pillar of hope. He and my other siblings sprung into action to help my wife and kids. We have a strong brotherly bond. He came to visit me in prison and I just broke down to him, worried desperately for the wellbeing of my family.
“No matter how strong a man can be in the army, nothing can prepare him for a life in incarceration. I was that man. I held on to his hand filled of so much regret and said “please look after them, tell them dad is sorry and I love them very much”
Kitone said “I kept a passport photo of my brother pasted on my Bible. For 23 years, I had this photo of my small brother to remind me that I needed to pray to God every day to protect him and bring him safely back.
“When Nemani was taken away from his family, we (siblings) jumped in to help his wife and children. She (Mrs Valeniyasana) struggled everyday with her emotions and it was obvious in her eyes she dearly missed her husband.
“On some days I’d catch her crying in the quiet, but there’s so much I could do to help. My heart would melt for his children.
“Momo when will dad come home,” his girls would ask. That’s why I made it my mission to be the big brother and step-in. The first few weeks were really tough. Then there were birthdays, Easter and Christmas without daddy.
Kitione said they hassled through thick and thin situations. He made sure they always had food on the table.
Every week I made sure they had root-crops, vegetables. Through God’s divine help we kept each other safe.
“At times some of us (family) would spend time at their family home in Basoga just outside Labasa Town. We’d repaire the house, planted their food and made sure Nemani’s children were well-taken care of in school.
“When push came to shove, Mrs Valeniyasana would prepare food parcels and sold them in town just so she could buy food for her children. If our sons and daughters found a job in Labasa, they would stay with Nemanl’s family so they can help buy food and pay the bills.
“At times it felt like hope was lost but I knew that one day, he would return to us,” said Kitione.”
Kitione said Mrs Valeniyasana eventually found motivation to be there for her children and unrelentingly she gave it her all.
In prison Nemani retraced his steps back with God and kept himself occupied within the walls pacing with prison routine when tragedy struck.
He was informed about his wife illness. The news was worrying and he couldn’t be there for her.
NEXT WEEK: The weary wife and tearful reunion