Stop the Threats: Duru to Hate Groups

Stop threatening and insulting our members.

This is the message Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) general secretary Lenaitasi Duru made to hate groups on social media.

This comes after the party’s campaign director Jope Koroisavou was threatened and insulted on social media over the past few days regarding the videos that he had uploaded.

Some of the insults and threats Mr Koroisavou has been receiving online have been personal while some have used foul language. Most of these are from alleged fake accounts. In an interview, Mr Duru said these people needed to be civil if they did not agree with the videos uploaded by Mr Koroisavou on social media.

He said it would turn ugly if SODELPA takes legal action against the hate groups. “We have been notified by Mr Koroisavou that he has been receiving threats and insults on social media,” he said.

“The videos uploaded on social media were to enlighten people as to how things have been and stuff they need to know heading to the election on December 14.

“Not so much the party, but him as a person as an individual citizen of Fiji, he has that right to do that. I do not have further information as to who these people are.

“It’s sad that certain elements in our society have stooped low to threaten and insult politicians.”

Mr Duru said it was against the Electoral Act for the public to be insulting and threatening campaigners.

“SODELPA does not condone these activities because it is illegal. We are now a law abiding political party and we respect the rule of law. We expect everybody to do the same,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Koroisavou has used the threats to motivate him to carry on with what he does.

“It’s actually a compliment to us. We know that there is truth and facts with what we are talking about,” he said.

He said the threats would not stop him.