UPDATED: 7:50am – The first prosecution witness in the case against the former Education Minister, Dr Mahendra Reddy claims the accused told him not to go to the media in regards to the issues faced by the Ra High School.
Dr Reddy is charged with one count of bribery and one count of undue influence by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption.
He is alleged to have offered steady water source for Ra High School to influence the vote of the school manager Waisea Lebobo on May 8th and by doing so he allegedly interfered with the free exercise or performance of the political right of Lebobo.
Lebobo is the manager of the school since 2010 and says one of the major problems faced is improper water supply.
In court today, he recalled the day when a meeting was organized by the Education Ministry and a circular was sent to all schools for the managers to attend the said meeting which was held at Penang Sangam High School.
Lebobo said they were told that Dr Reddy will speak to them on how to better utilize the resources.
The witness said following the minister’s speech, the managers from various schools in Ra were asked to raise their concerns.
Lebobo said he questioned the minister on progress on the water issues faced by the schools as he raised concern that the school has to get water from Burenitu village and the water source is 12miles away from the school.
He claims Dr Reddy replied to him telling him not to go to the media regarding his concerns and also said that if he engages with Dr Reddy’s party in the next election, then water will be given to the school.
There are three other witnesses, who are expected to take stand on Friday.
One of them is the freelance journalist Anish Chand.
-FBC
