Fiji’s justice minister resigns after intimate video goes viral online

Fiji’s Justice Minister Siromi Turaga stepped down from cabinet on Tuesday after an intimate video of him went viral online – the second such scandal to rock the Pacific island nation’s government.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who previously sought credible “proof” before taking action against Turaga, said he accepted his colleague’s resignation.

“You mentioned him? Go ahead and report him to me and the Online Safety Commissioner, and I will get proof from that authority with you making the allegations,” Rabuka said on Monday, as reported by the Fiji Sun.

Rabuka earlier said he had not seen the video that showed up on Turaga’s social media page last Saturday before it was taken down.

Turaga, who is also the acting attorney general, will continue as an MP and a member of Rabuka’s People’s Alliance party.

Turaga was abroad when the video began circulating on social media, prompting a warning from the Online Safety Commission against posting and sharing intimate images or videos of people without their permission.

He has yet to publicly address the saga.

The prime minister has sought advice from the Solicitor General’s Office on appointing a replacement for Turaga’s positions.

Before Turaga’s departure, a letter sent to Rabuka’s office urged him to apply rules without gender distinction, pointing to a female minister who was removed from cabinet last year after getting embroiled in a similar controversy.

“Fairness and consistency are what our people deserve,” the letter said.

A video showing Lynda Tabuya dancing naked was leaked online and went viral in 2024. She was dismissed from her position as minister for women, children and social protection.

Tabuya eventually returned to the government after Rabuka appointed her as the information minister in August last year.

He defended the decision that also earned a rebuke from former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

“She is well-suited to spearhead the government’s public relations machinery through the Ministry of Information,” Rabuka said.

“Is Rabuka merely forgetful or is he just plain fickle?” Chaudhry said in a social media post.

Tabuya said the private clip, meant for her ex-husband, was hacked from her stolen mobile phone, public broadcaster Radio NZ reported.