The November 2000 mutiny retrial of Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata got underway this morning with the first witness taking the stand.

The witness, whose name has been suppressed, informed the Suva High Court that he acted as the right hand man for Takiveikata which included getting together a group of former CRW officers to allegedly stage the attempted mutiny in November 2000.

He said the Qaranivalu was disappointed and angered with the events that were unfolding in July of 2000 where civilians supporting the coup were being stopped in Kalabu and added that Takiveikata stressed that something needed to be done to stop the army as well as the Commander who was a “liu muri” or a back stabber.

According to the witness, the Qaranivalu wanted something done to the Commander as he was not keeping his side of the deal with regards to the Muanikau Accord.

The witness added that once the Qaranivalu met with group of CRW officers as well soldiers based in the military camp, he stressed that something needed to be done urgently and he was relying on them to carry out a takeover of the military camp in Nabua because as CRW officers, they knew what to do.

He told the High Court that in the five meetings that were held at the Qaranivalu’s residence in Nausori, as well as at the residence of Captain Shane Stevens in Lower Ragg Avenue in Suva and at Jale Kadi’s place at a Government Quarters opposite the Nausori Airport, discussions revolved around the support for the mission as well as the need for transport, handcuffs, guns and ammunition.

The witness also revealed that Captain Stevens had asked the Qaranivalu how much support he had to take over the Army camp to which Takiveikata is alleged to have said that they did not need to worry as 3,000 to 4,000 people were ready to support them.

According to the witness, the Qaranivalu said that support would come from as far as Kadavu and Lomaiviti.

The Suva High Court also heard that the Qaranivalu had made arrangements with a certain Ratu Dovi to allegedly bring in guns from overseas.

The witness informed the High Court that there were two support groups, the first in camp while the Qaranivalu headed another group outside the army camp and whose role was to provide support and look for guns.

The witness revealed the Qaranivalu was the one who had made arrangements for the guns and who also provided transport for the group.

The High Court also heard that when the witness was called by Captain Stevens on the 2nd of November 2000 at around midday that they were ready to take over the Military camp, and he informed the Qaranivalu who told them to go to his farm in Wailase and gather supporters to go up to QEB.

The trial continues this afternoon.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala