By 3 News online staff
Auckland homes of Fiji nationals have been raided by people claiming to be SIS and police investigating a plot to assassinate Fiji leader Voreqe Bainimarama.
Former Fiji cabinet minister Rajesh Singh says a woman who said she was from the SIS and three plain clothed policemen came to his Auckland home yesterday and seized his daughter’s laptop and his cellphone.
Late this afternoon Mr Singh confirmed to 3 News that this had happened.
Mr Singh says the woman told him she had a warrant but would not show it to him.
The woman said she had credible evidence that an assassination on Bainimarama was being planned in Auckland and asked Mr Singh about why Fiji Army Colonel Tevita Uluilakeba Mara had visited him.
Mr Singh told her he was a good friend of Colonel Mara’s, but he had no knowledge of any plots.
Colonel Mara is wanted on charges of plotting to overthrow Bainimarama and is currently in Tonga.
The laptop and computer were returned later that day and the Mr Singh was told not to talk to media or anybody about what had happened.
Several other Fiji nationals told Fairfax they had also had similar visits.
Mr Singh told 3 News he knows Colonel Mara well and sees him all the time, but he has nothing to do with any plots.
He says he feels like he is being harassed and that the police and SIS are making up this story about a plot.
Auckland Fijian leader Sunia Raitava told 3 News says there have been a lot of rumours flying around the Fijian community in Auckland following Colonel Mara’s regular visits.
“New Zealand should take this seriously with information like this.”
He does not know if the rumours are true, but says there are supporters of Colonel Mara in New Zealand and he advised the Fijian community to cool down over the situation.
“My advice is they should stay cool… and don’t take things into their own hands.”
Mr Raitava suggested people get in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if they have anything to say.
3 News