Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has not commented on allegations that he received a NZ$113,000 Rolex watch as part of a deal to pardon a wealthy businessman facing criminal charges. The claim stems from a series of social media photos showing Rabuka wearing a gold Rolex, raising concerns among political opponents.
Labour leader Mahendra Chaudhry publicly demanded that Rabuka address the accusations, stating that such a gift would violate Fiji’s ministerial code of conduct. Under the code, gifts above a certain value must be declared, and approval is required for personal items. Chaudhry questioned whether the watch was given as a reward for pardoning Mahendra Motibhai Patel, a businessman convicted of abuse of office charges, last September. The pardon was seen as unusual and sparked further scrutiny.
Fijian journalist Graham Davis, who once served as the press secretary for former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, connected the new allegations to a similar gift Rabuka reportedly received in 1987 from Patel after Rabuka’s involvement in two coups. Davis speculated that Patel may have gifted Rabuka a new Rolex as a “thank you” after receiving a presidential pardon, which was granted on Rabuka’s recommendation.
Patel, who lives in Australia, has denied gifting Rabuka a watch, calling the allegations untrue. He added that he does not give such gifts and suggested that any inquiries be directed to Rabuka himself.
The controversy has sparked wider concerns about corruption in Fiji, with Chaudhry describing it as “sickening” and affecting the country from top to bottom. The Prime Minister’s office has not responded to repeated requests for comment on the matter, and one of Rabuka’s staff members claimed that the watch had been worn by the Prime Minister long before he entered politics.
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