Spouse killer, who reads messages of her infidelity, is given life in jail

During the sentencing of Josevata Werelali Koroi, Justice Salesi Temo said that people need to learn to solve their problem peacefully.

Josevata Werelali Koroi in front of the Supreme Court in Suva after his conviction on April 7, 2021. Photo: Ashna Kumar

A former village chief who read of his wife’s text messaging infidelity and provoked him to kill her was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Suva High Court.

During the sentencing of Josevata Werelali Koroi, Justice Salesi Temo said that people need to learn to solve their problem peacefully.

“Either through counseling or divorce proceedings before the family court,” said Judge Temo.

What happened in May 2020

Koroi stabbed and killed his wife Adi Elenani Waidrau (27) on May 1, 2020.

Koroi had known since 2017 that his wife was having an affair with another man.

He tried to solve the same thing by asking her to stop, but she insisted.

He did not seek a solution to his marital problem in a family court. Unfortunately for him the answer was murder.

Justice Temo told Koroi that the facts of his case again highlighted the all-too-familiar problem of one spouse’s inability to peacefully deal with the other spouse’s infidelity.

“With the advent of liberalism in today’s world, free choice is often encouraged in individuals, even married people.

“As a result, when there is unrest in the family, spouse infidelity sometimes creeps in,” he said.

“The problem you encountered in your case is not unknown in Fiji and the rest of the world. But people must learn to resolve the problem peacefully, either through counseling or divorce proceedings in family courts.

“Murder as a cure is not an answer,” said Judge Temo.

Koroi has been given a minimum of 18 years before the President of Fiji can consider a pardon.

Judge Temo also told Koroi that he could not apply for a pardon until he served the 18-year term.

He added that after serving the minimum term, the perpetrator could apply to the President of Fiji for a pardon on the advice of the Mercy Commission, but that does not necessarily mean that he will be granted one.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj

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