Fiji tsunami prophecy 'fake', court hears

Photo / Sarah Ivey

Fiji Rugby Union Board chairman Bill Gavoka has been bailed and ordered to surrender his passport after appearing in court in Suva yesterday over a false disaster prophecy he allegedly made for the Pacific Island nation.

Gavoka, who also used to head the Fiji Visitors Bureau, is alleged to have sent emails to tourist operators repeating a warning first issued months ago by Nadi pastor Laione Lutunacevamaca that an undersea earthquake would generate a tsunami which would reach Fiji last Tuesday.

Self-appointed Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama claimed those spreading the rumour had a political agenda and were trying to destabilise Fiji.

Gavoka and Lutunacevamaca were taken into custody under the terms of Fiji's military emergency decrees which make spreading rumours an offence.

The men appeared in the Magistrates Court in Suva yesterday charged with contravening section 15 of the Public Order Act, the Fijilive news website reported.

The pair were granted cash bail of $750 each by Magistrate Irani Archchari and ordered to surrender their passports.

They were told not to spread any more rumours.

No pleas were entered and the case has been called for mention again today.

- NZPA