Family to sue FSC over toxic death
MERESEINI MARAU
Thursday, August 14, 2008
RELATIVES of a man who died from drinking stolen methanol are considering legal action against the Fiji Sugar Corporation for not keeping its spirits safely.
Jiuta Delaibatiki, of Navutu, Lautoka, will file a lawsuit against the FSC, saying had it kept its chemicals properly they would not have been subjected to theft.
His nephew, Tevita Ratulekaleka, 26, died last Tuesday after drinking the chemicals that were sold for $5 for two litres.
Mr Delaibatiki said they would do this to ensure other youths do not suffer the same fate as his nephew.
Two FSC employees appeared in court on Monday for allegedly stealing 100 litres of toxic chemicals from the Lautoka Mill.
Josaia Leone, 45, of Navutu and Francis Samuel, 35, of Rifle Range, Lautoka were charged with break-in and larceny.
Mr Delaibatiki said the death of his nephew was unfortunate and could have been avoided.
Mr Delaibatiki said other boys in the settlement complained of being ill after drinking methanol.
"But they must have mixed it with a lot of water - they told me it was a right mix," he said.
FSC acting chief executive Deo Saran said the company was conducting its own inquiry as to how three 20-litre containers of methanol and two 20-litre gallons of isopropanol were removed from the labs.
The methanol was valued at $214 while the isopropanol was worth $559.
Mr Saran said the police were also investigating.
The pair allegedly broke into the lab and sold the liquids to Navutu youths.
They will re-appear in court on August 25.
