THE third witness in the Sakiusa Rabaka murder trial yesterday says he will never forget the faces of the soldiers who tortured him and a group of friends at Black Rock in Nadi, on January 28, 2007.
Alekisio Ratuvou told the High Court in Lautoka that during an exercise where they had to crawl on gravel road holding a piece of timber strapped across their shoulders, he saw Patrick Nayacalagilagi and Taione Lua kicking Rabaka.
Rabaka was hospitalised in Nadi, Lautoka and then Suva on different occasions after the incident.
He died on February 24, 2007 while on his way from home to hospital to seek further medical treatment, after he had collapsed while with friends on their verandah.
A fresh trial began this week before Justice Daniel Goundar where eight soldiers and a former policeman are facing murder and assault charges.
Mr Ratuvou said Nayacalagilagi was known to him because they attended the same church. In addition, he said, his father had participated at Nayacalagilagi's wedding.
He also identified Taione Lua, Jona Nareki, Napolioni Naulia, Joeli Lesavua and Ilaisa Kuruimavua as those who kicked, punched and beat them with sticks while they were struggling to complete their forced exercises.
Mr Ratuvou said the beatings only stopped momentarily. This was while they were crawling and the soldiers had realised that Rabaka was motionless.
He said at that point, all was silent except for snoring sounds from Rabaka who was later carried to a nearby tin shack.
He recalled Rabaka was vomiting before they left Black Rock later that night and continued to vomit when they arrived at the Namaka Police Station.
Mr Ratuvou said Rabaka and Josua Saunaqali, also a witness in the trial, were told to lie inside a bure at the station while he was made to drink yaqona.
He said Nayacalagilagi threatened him and told him not to report the matter to anyone.
He said Nayacalagilagi also told him it was no use complaining to the authorities because the officers were protected under the amnesty.
