No reply to grieving family

SUVA – The family of a man in Fiji who died in an accident in Suva in October last year are still pleading with the authorities for an update on their request to waive immunity for South African diplomat Theodorus Mostert.

Ashneel Singh, 26, was killed in the accident after the car he was driving collided with the diplomat’s vehicle.

When the Fiji Sun newspaper visited the family this week, Singh’s sister Shivani Singh said they had written letters to the South African government and other parties requesting if further action could be taken to address Mostert’s role in the accident.

Shivani Singh said they had been doing this for the past two months but were yet to receive a response from the South African government.

“It’s frustrating because we have been emailing them every day and from that time until now, we still have not received any response,” Singh said.

The only response so far was from Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acting chief protocol officer Jiko Rasoqosoqo saying the ministry was working on something, she said.

“He told us that they are doing something, it’s in the process but did not give an update on what it is.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Esala Nayasi said the department would not comment on the issue.

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, the South African Government has the right to waive the diplomatic immunity accorded to its official who was involved in the accident.

- Fiji Times