People’s Alliance Party leader, Sitiveni Rabuka. [File Photo]

The traditional warrior clan of the former Tui Nayau and former Fijian Prime Minister and President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, has lashed out at Sitiveni Rabuka, saying he is a greedy man who has betrayed the Vanua by accusing Ratu Mara of being supportive of Rabuka’s 1987 coup that devastated Fiji.

The Suva-based clan leader, Sisaro Temo says Rabuka, as the People’s Alliance Party leader, is vindictive and immature for accusing the Tui Nayau so many years after his death and has called for Rabuka to publicly apologize.

Rabuka dropped a bombshell last week, claiming on Sashi Singh’s Talking Point show, that Ratu Mara knew and supported his 1987 military coup.

Sashi Singh: – “Who were the other key persons behind the 1987 coup.”
Sitiveni Rabuka: “As far as I’m concerned, my own friends and relatives, the three, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, probably not an active contributor to the thinking, but came as a supporter just to make sure everything was going well.”

Suva-based leader of the traditional warrior clan or Bati-Leka from Yadrana village in Lakeba, Sisaro Temo

This has left the late Tui Nayau’s warrior clan leader, Sisaro Temo fuming.

“Rabuka has betrayed the trust of the Vanua o Tovata, and Kubuna and Burebasaga for his greedy intentions to gain financially and professionally. Profit from the name of Ratu Mara and his heritage and his family.”

Temo says as the Suva-based leader of the bati-leka clan from Yadrana Village in Lakeba, their role as traditional protectors of the Tui Nayau against anyone will always be upheld, even in death.

“As a subject of Tovata, trying to become the Prime Minister of Fiji, he is dragging his name in the mud again and again, even when he is dead. As a bati-leka, I cry foul.”

FBC News has been unsuccessful in its attempts to get comments from Rabuka about calls by the clan for Rabuka to publicly apologise for defaming the late Tui Nayau.