Tribunal Now Handling Allegations Against Education Minister

Sources within the Ministry of Education have confirmed to Duavata News that allegations against Minister Aseri Radrodro are now before a tribunal, following complaints lodged by four former senior ministry officials over their termination.

The officials – Sentilki Tupou, Manuerli Caginitabale, Taito Waradi, and Kelera Bale – have accused Minister Radrodro of interfering in internal disciplinary processes, unlawfully terminating staff, and abusing his powers.

The matter, which has already been acknowledged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) as undergoing legal assessment, now appears to have progressed further. A senior ministry insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed, “It has reached a tribunal stage. That’s where it is now.”

According to the complainants, their termination followed efforts to question the reinstatement of a staff member alleged to have breached ministry protocols. They claim due process was bypassed, including the 30-day notice requirement and payment of accrued leave entitlements.

“This began when Radrodro brought in someone from Parliament into the ministry without following the proper recruitment process,” Bale told The Fiji Times. The group alleges they were sidelined for resisting the move and later formally removed without procedural justification.

The dismissed managers say they have been seeking answers since their terminations in February but have not received any response from the Ministry or Minister Radrodro. One of them, Taito Waradi, posted publicly on social media last week that he and his colleagues were “victimised for doing what is right” and that they have yet to be paid their dues.

In response to media questions, FICAC confirmed receipt of a formal complaint and said the matter is undergoing legal assessment. “FICAC will refrain from providing any further information or comments at this time,” it said.

When asked about the claims earlier, Radrodro stated he was unaware of any complaint made against him and said, “It’s an internal process, and we’ll wait for those to come up and we’ll see.”