Issue No: 302 19 December 2000
Police Commissioner has warned the public that it must never underestimate the criminals. In bold titles, today's Fiji
Times printed: "You have been warned: Savua".
The warning comes in the wake of yesterday's armed robbery of the Morris Hedstrom Supermarket in Tamavua, Suva. Savua
also stated that the masterminds behind the robberies often escaped convictions because the crime was committed by
others. Apparently Savua's reference can also be taken to apply to the terrorist case where some of those who carried
out the instructions have been arrested while the masterminds are still free.
Savua has developed a habit of warning the victims and the civilians, while the criminal elements go about their
business without any attention from the police force. An increasing number of people believe that some elements of the
police force are involved in some of the criminal activities going on around the country. The most prominent was the
terrorist takeover of the Parliament Complex in which Savua himself was implicated.
Since the robbery, the Suva City Council's Lord Mayor, and the Fiji Women's Crisis Center have joined the other
organizations in calling for the reimposition of curfews and road blocks in Suva.
END 19 Dec 2000