‘All key witnesses should be interviewed’

ALL relevant witnesses in the alleged assault of Opposition parliamentarian Pio Tikoduadua by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama outside Parliament on August 9 should have been interviewed and their statements recorded.

This is the view of former Fiji Police Force Criminal Investigation Department director Senior Superintendent Lepani Moceleka during an interview with this newspaper at his home in Nadera, Nasinu.

He said that would be an important element of investigations.

Mr Moceleka said that was the way he would have done things if the matter had been brought to his attention during his term in office.

“Any investigation on prominent people like the Prime Minister, it should be thorough,” he said.

“Before it is referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions, all relevant witnesses should be contacted and their statements recorded.”

During his term, Mr Moceleka said police had adopted investigation procedures introduced by the British and the same method was used by the force until he retired in 1997.

“All suspects in every case that goes to DPP, the suspects have to be interviewed under caution.

“During our time, we worked closely with the DPP. We had a good relationship — we would liaise with them on any case, whether it was big or small.

“I would make sure that the investigation in any serious case is thorough so the DPP will be able to make a decision on whether to charge the suspect or drop it.”

Mr Moceleka served in the force for 38 years.

He was the director

CID under former Police Commissioner Isikia Savua, before retiring in 1997.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said they would stick to earlier comments made by Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, that police would only provide an update to the complainant and not this newspaper.