Police focusing on search for 21yr-old in the Rewa River in Kasavu

Police have stressed that they are focusing on the search for the 21-year-old man who was in the vehicle that veered off the road and went into Rewa River in Kasavu and they will be looking into all relevant circumstances surrounding the accident.

This follows a statement and letter sent to the Police Commissioner by the General Secretary of the Fiji Taxi Association, Rishi Ram after several claims made about the authorities and two companies.

Ram says the vehicle in the Kasavu accident was a private car and belonged to a bus company which they are utilizing as a taxi.

He says in the letter that the bus company has been using private cars as taxis for quite some time under the nose of enforcement agencies.

He also says that a month ago, a private car shuttle service from the Suva foreshore was travelling to Nadi and ended up in an accident where 2 people had died instantly.

Ram says on both occasions, private cars being used as taxis  were involved.

He says it seems the enforcement agencies are waiting for disaster to occur first before any action will be taken.

Ram is calling for a thorough investigation on both companies where they are utilizing private cars as taxis.

Police have stated that the claims by the Fiji Taxi Association that Police and relevant authorities have been quiet on the issue of illegal operators is not true.

In their response, Police say that in fact, from the 1st of January to date, 476 infringement notices have been issued to illegal operators and concerted efforts continue to be made by law enforcement agencies to address the issue.

Police say that they have been actively engaging various taxi operators in a number of issues concerning policing and they will continue to call on the Association and members of the public to provide information on any illegal activities.

The Fiji Police Force also states that their officers have not been waiting as claimed but have been actively pursuing the enforcement of illegal operators and with regards to the claims of operating illegally, this is an issue that investigators will follow if there is sufficient evidence to do so.