Methodists stop Suva traffic

Press, 19 December 1988, Page 10

Methodists stop Suva traffic

NZPA Suva . Methodist Church fundamentalist protesters demanding strict observance of the Sabbath erected at least 35 roadblocks in and around Suva yesterday and almost brought the capital to a standstill for seven hours.

The first roadblocks were put up at six o’clock yesterday morning, including two on the main highway routes into the city.

Essential services were affected.

The Colonial War Memorial Hospital, where the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, is recovering after fainting at golf on Saturday, was operating with a skeleton staff. The medical superintendent, Dr Jo Taka, said day-shift staff could not

get to work because of the roadblock.

The Fiji Electricity Authority announced it could not attend to emergency calls. The posts and telecommunications announced on radio that its overseas services were being affected by lack of staff.

A police spokesman, inspector Romanu Tikotikoca, said the protesters were given a permit to organise roadside church services.

The protesters gathered on the roads, sang hymns, prayed and stopped all traffic from going through. Radio FM96 said that hospital ambulances were also stopped by the roadblocks.

Fiji’s domestic airline services from Suva were cancelled