A mutineer’s regret
It’s catch up time for Valeniyasana after 23 years in jail
LIFE imprisonment is any sentence for a crime under which convicted criminals are to remain in prison for the rest of their natural lives (or until pardoned, paroled, or commuted to a fixed term).
Former military officer Lt Nemani Valeniyasana, one of 57 mutineers jailed for storming the Labasa Military barrack during Fiji’s 2000 coup, was given a life sentence and jailed in 2003.
His glory was stripped down to a pair of prison uniform and flip-flops. Leaving behind a wife and four daughters to survive on their own ‘outside the wall’ that guard the Suva Korovou Prison.
This made visitation very difficult and costly to travel down from Labasa.
“Every day was a living hell and I relied on my family especially my big brother for their help. I had to adjust to the rhythmic prison routine to survive. Accepting my fate took some time,” said Nemani.
“I still had hope of life because I wanted to see my daughters and wife again,” he said.
Outside the wall a woman sat in front of her four daughters to explain that daddy was not coming home and won’t be around for a long time. The stigma, being a family of a mutineer, was painful to bear. Before all of this they were just a simple family, now they stood in judgement through the public eye.
According to the family there were people that cared visited them regularly and others just disappeared.
“Mum was a strong woman, but she was also human. We never left each other. She was always concerned for us and our wellbeing.
“I was a little girl when Ta left us now I have my own children.”
Then one day Nemani received news that his wife was ill. Sleepless nights and going “in and out” of dreams infected him.
His faith and hope to survive were tested. He really wanted to see her one more time. “I begged God to take me instead,” he said. But he soon received more news from the soft-spoken words of a prison guard.
Her illness was fatal. The news was heartbreaking for the whole family.
“I became an empty vessel, like life was sucked out from me,” a teary Nemani recalled.
I still haven’t fully recovered from her death. My children’s faces flashed before my eyes and I just broke down uncontrollably.
“Time is a great healer and God is merciful. I can’t remember how I got out of it, I just kept my head up and continued my prayers and dedicated my life to doing better.
“In prison I found a rhythm. It’s not like I planned my every move, they have programs and books to keep me occupied.
“I always had a lot of time to think and reflect on my past. As much as my past haunted me, I reminded myself daily of the unforeseen promises of tomorrow — like seeing my daughters again.
“I celebrated their birthdays in silence. Their letters consumed me and informed me that they were doing fine. So I that kept me going.
“Soon another letter from one of my daughters told me she was getting married. She had fallen in love and needed my permission.”
Nemani said he was happy that his daughters were safe and this made him stronger. They continued to acknowledge him as their father even though he was not physically present in their lives.
“I gave her my blessing. Afterwards I started receiving photographs of grandchildren. That delighted me even more.
“Life on the outside of the wall was growing and continuing. I knew there was happiness and as the days grew into weeks and weeks into months I grew stronger — and my yearning to return home kept me hopeful.
“Decades had passed and I wrote to the president Ratu Wiliame Katonivere seeking a pardon three years ago. I waited every day for a reply and continued my reading.
“In prison I witnessed many things desperate people would do apart from contraband. I witnessed other grown man cry. I heard their stories of how jail time torn their families apart.
“As a life-prison I’ve watched inmates come and go over the years.
“One day this year, a guard came up to my cell and told me to get prepared and to go and see the officer–in-charge. I thought it was probably a routine medical check.
“I was escorted to the person I needed to see. He told me to take a sit and informed me the president had replied to my letter and I would be released soon.
“I just broke down and cried overwhelmed with emotions. I’ve never felt like this in a long time, the feeling of relief and a flood of emotions overtook me, I can’t explain it in words.”
News of his soon to be release reached home and his daughters. Tears of joy broke the dead silence that had long hovered over the Valeniyasana’s residence.
All my daughters are married,” said Nemani.
“Twenty three years is too long and I missed out so much with my dad, having to grow up with him and missing his love,” daughter Selina said.
“My late mother played two roles as a mum and dad and life wasn’t easy at all. I used to wonder where dad went to and why it took so long for him to return home, but I got to understand as I grew older, the reason of his absence.
“I then knew I had to be strong, stay focused on my goals and love my mum and sisters because it was just us at that time.
Life, she said wasn’t easy. “Dad has done the time and now he is coming home,” Selina said.
Nemani says: “Now that I am back home, I make sure to spent every minute with my children and grandchildren.
“Every night they sleep surround me on my bed.
“Wherever I’d be sleeping, my grandchildren will bring their pillows and lie around me and we will share stories until we sleep. It’s a sweet and very rewarding experience.”
“Now that I’m back I focussed every energy I have to catch up on lost time with my family.”