Mourning and hope amid tension

By EUGENE BINGHAM in Suva

Fijian policeman Filipe Seavula paid with his life in the struggle for political power which rages within earshot of his grieving family.

Less than 500m from where his family, friends and colleagues gathered to mourn him in the traditional way yesterday, rebels linked to George Speight continued their stand-off and attacks on policemen.

Outside the gates of Suva's police living quarters, tension kept armed soldiers poised with guns at the ready. Inside was serenity and understanding.

Surrounded by her slain husband's family, Akeneta Seavula told the Herald: "I hope his death will bring peace to this situation."

Mrs Seavula and her three children, aged 13, 7, and 5, sat with mourners for the reguregu (mourning gathering) in the couple's modest home within the police compound yesterday, trying to come to terms with what had happened.

Her husband, a police dog handler, was returning home after work on Sunday night when he stumbled across a mob on the rampage from the parliamentary complex where last night Fiji's deposed Government MPs remained.

Mr Seavula, aged 38, was taken out of his vehicle and shot three times in the back less than 1km from his house.

"I was sitting at home with the children when I heard gunshots," said Mrs Seavula, a schoolteacher.

She does not feel angry at the killers, but cannot understand why her husband's blood was spilled for the cause of the rebels.

"What made them do it? They are still coming down and attacking the policemen too. It's ... uncivilised."

Though mourners at the reguregu have forgiven the killers in their own way, they are adamant justice must be done. Army chiefs have already said there will be an amnesty for the coup leaders, but not for the murder of Mr Seavula. Two men have been taken into custody for questioning.

At least four other men have been arrested for attacks on officers stationed at the gates of the police living quarters.

Mr Seavula, a policeman for 19 years, came from the village of Navala in Ba on the western coast of Viti Levu. He met his wife there when she went to teach in the village and they married in 1987.

"He was a loving, caring father for the family and for the relatives," said Mrs Seavula.

"I will always remember his sense of humour; when he laughs, his whole voice fills the air."

The reguregu will continue at the family home in Suva until Tuesday, when Mr Seavula's body will be taken to Navala in a convoy. Village chiefs and family will welcome his body home and bury him the next day. Mr Seavula will be given full police honours at his funeral which is expected to attract hundreds of people.

A 21-gun salute will sound as his body is laid to rest.

While grieving in her private way, Mrs Seavula understands the significance of her husband's death and the shock that it was to Fiji and the world.

"As soon as he was killed, the President stepped down.

"But it was God's will that he die like this."

George Speight talks to IRN's Barry Soper

(10 min).