Tevita Kapawale has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murders of five crew members of the fishing vessel Tiro II in May 2021.

Suva High Court Judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere set 26 years and 2 months as the minimum term to be served by Kapawale, before a pardon may be considered.

Kapawale murdered Benjamin Matitaputty, Eme Warma, Alfat Kodri, Samuela Sukera, and Qiritavabea Cagilabakomeli, whose bodies were never recovered.

He also attempted to murder Kaminieli Tucama and criminally intimidated Mitieli
Cama.

Justice Tuiqereqere states that the impacts of his violence will be felt for years by the victims’ families, who have suffered terribly because of the senseless killing.

He adds that the events would have been terrifying to the two crew who survived, and the deaths of Qiri and Alfat were likely to have been brutal and quick.

Justice Tuiqereqere adds that the other three crew who would have drowned would have initially been hopeful of a rescue, but with the struggle to remain afloat without a life jacket, they would have resigned themselves to death, aware that they would not see their loved ones again.

The Judge says that he agrees with the State that the extremely high category is the correct category for Kapawale offending.

He adds the murders were brutal, cruel and cold-blooded.

In aggravating, the Judge adds there was some degree of planning or premeditation.

He adds that Kapawale hatched a plan that stood the best chance of overcoming the entire crew, and that involved arming himself with an axe and attacking the crew when they were vulnerable.

The other aggravating feature is that none of the bodies were able to be retrieved.

Justice Tuiqereqere adds that this has had serious consequences for the families of the victims Kapwale killed. They have not been able to have closure or a proper funeral, and there have been financial consequences for them as well.

Regarding the mitigating factors, the court considered that Kapawale has shown no remorse.

That he defended the charges despite previously admitting to others of his role in the murders.

Justice Tuiqereqere adds that it appears that Kapawale has not accepted the verdict of the Court and refused to speak at the sentencing hearing or instruct a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

He has 30 days to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, the Fijian Media Association condemn today’s attempted attack on journalists covering the sentencing of convicted murderer Tevita Kapawale outside the High Court in Suva.

FMA adds that while being escorted to a waiting vehicle, the handcuffed Kapawale attempted to assault a female journalist, a photographer, and two male reporters who were performing their legitimate duty to inform the public about court proceedings.

FMA General Secretary Stanley Simpson says this is not the first time journalists have faced physical threats while covering court cases, and the Fiji Police Force’s repeated failure to provide adequate security for media personnel is unacceptable.

“The media plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in our justice system. Journalists have the right to report on matters of public interest without fear of violence or intimidation.”