A sex scandal involving allegations of an extramarital affair between two ministers, leaked intimate images and suggestions of drug use during a ministerial trip has gripped Fiji, rattling the government and raising questions over whether the coalition can survive.
The conservative Pacific nation of about 1 million people has been transfixed by the saga which centres on an alleged affair between the minister for women, Lynda Tabuya, and former minister for education Aseri Radrodro, a married man. Radrodro also used to be son-in-law to the prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka. Discussion about the allegations has flooded social media in recent weeks, with some Fijians calling for their resignation, while others want accountability and an explanation from the coalition that has been in power for just over a year.
“The gloss of being ‘new’ has worn off and people are paying closer attention to what the government is doing and how it conducts itself,” said Dr Tess Newton Cain, who leads the Pacific hub at Griffith Asia Institute.
“This extends to how ministers conduct themselves.”
Both ministers have denied any romantic involvement, which allegedly occurred during a ministerial delegation visit to Melbourne, Australia, in August 2023.
Earlier this month, screenshots of intimate images, messages and suggestions of drug use that were allegedly shared between the ministers on messaging platform Viber were posted online. Tabuya, also a lawyer and former beauty queen, said the lewd images were “fabricated” and the screenshots were “fake”. Radrodro said he hadn’t seen the screenshots and refused to comment. Rabuka was drawn into the scandal, facing calls for him to provide his views on the issue.
While the authenticity of the images and screenshots is unclear, Tabuya has lodged a complaint with Fiji authorities, seeking removal of the photos from online sites. Last week, Fiji police acting commissioner Juki Fong Chew said police were working with Australian counterparts to investigate the minister’s complaint.
How has the scandal unfolded?
The allegations first came to light in September 2023 after images and screenshots appeared online. At that time, Rabuka said he was content with the assurance from his two ministers that there was no truth to the allegations.
In January, the scandal resurfaced after the intimate photos again appeared on social media. Public fascination intensified and debate about the incident – and what it could mean for Rabuka’s future – spread across Fiji. The prime minister has not commented on the episode this year.
Then in January, Radrodro became embroiled in another political drama.
On 22 January, Rabuka terminated Radrodro from his ministerial portfolio for disobedience and insubordination in relation to appointments made to the Fiji National University Council in May 2023.
Radrodro made a public apology a day later for insubordination, and said the issue was a matter of miscommunication. He asked Rabuka that his termination be rescinded but his plea fell on deaf ears.
Days after the sacking of Radrodro, Tabuya, who is the deputy leader of the People’s Alliance party (PAP), confirmed to local media that she was subject to an internal party investigation after a PAP member had filed a complaint against her. It is not clear what the complaint concerns. The investigation by PAP, which makes up the majority of Fiji’s coalition, is likely to be concluded by February and could see Tabuya removed from parliament.
The Guardian contacted Radrodro, Tabuya and Rabuka for comment.
What’s likely to happen next?
The political upheaval that has come in the wake of the sex scandal allegations and the removal of Radrodro from cabinet has threatened the stability of the coalition.
Radrodro is part of the Social Democratic Liberal party (Sodelpa). The party was angered by his sacking and has called on Rabuka to step down as prime minister. Sodelpa officials also threatened to join the opposition party FijiFirst, which was in power over the past 16 years under the leadership of Frank Bainimarama.
Newton Cain said the episode had highlighted that the coalition was dependent on Sodelpa, which only holds three seats. If Sodelpa was to transfer allegiance to FijiFirst, it could spell the end of the coalition and a change in government, she said.
The fate of the coalition, said the Unity Fiji party leader, Savenaca Narube, would be determined by “leadership”. Narube, also a former governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, said many in Fiji hoped the coalition would weather the turmoil.
“Whether the coalition will survive depends on the leadership, leadership that is consistent, leadership that is decisive, and leadership with principles,” Narube said.