Tonga’s Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) is facing one of its first major tests less than two years after its establishment, following the reported resignation of three investigators amid concerns over leadership and work procedures.
The resignations come amid a broader government effort to bolster the Commission’s capacity by recently recruiting police detectives to assist with the investigation of about 70 complaints lodged ahead of the country’s general election in November.
The complaints reportedly included allegations against the former Hu’akavameiliku government, ranging from misappropriation of public funds to breaches of governance protocols. Hu’akavameiliku denied the allegations at the time.
The Commission was also tasked with investigating former Police Minister Piveni Piukala, who was accused of assisting Mormon leader Pita Foliaki Hopoate to flee Tonga while he was subject to a restraining order. Piukala argued at the time that it was his job to assist Hopoate.
No public updates on the investigations have been released to date.
Professional Principles at Odds
The resigning officers had been recruited from the Tonga Police Force to serve as part of the ACC’s operational staff.
However, their resignations have now seen all three resume duties within the Tonga Police.
According to information broadcast by Letiō ‘a e Kakai FM 88.1, the resignations were linked to alleged dissatisfaction with the Commission’s working policies and the way it is managed by its leadership.
The officers reportedly believed that the Commission’s approach to investigations conflicted with their professional values and with established policing principles.
They are understood to have raised concerns about investigative processes, including procedures for receiving and handling complaints, the methods used to investigate those complaints, and the reporting of investigation outcomes, according to the radio.
It said that the officers felt these professional standards were not sufficiently aligned with the Commission’s operational approach, prompting their decision to resign.
When contacted by the radio for comment, the ACC Commissioner Chris LaHatte allegedly declined to comment on the matter.
He reportedly explained that the Commission’s operational rules prohibit officials from speaking to the media or publicly discussing internal work‑related issues.
As previously reported by Kaniva News, Mr LaHatte expressed confidence during the launch of the Commission’s first Strategic Plan (2024–2029) that collaboration with the community would lead to “significant strides in eliminating corruption and upholding the law.”
