Nuku’alofa, TONGA—Tonga’s Retirement Fund Board has allegedly fired a couple following explosive allegations of defrauding $491,922.52 in pension funds from 2022 to 2024.
The dismissals follow a recent warning from Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke regarding an ongoing investigation into accusations of embezzling “hundreds of thousands” from the civil servants’ organisation.
It remains unclear whether the Prime Minister’s claim was linked to the couple’s termination.
The specific details of the incident remain unknown. Authorities could not be reached for comment.
The couple’s dismissal comes after civil servants raised growing concerns about the loan from their investments that was used to fund Lulutai Airlines’ purchase of its controversial Twin Otter aircraft last year.
The former Hu’akavameiliku government borrowed approximately $4.5 million for the purchase but also faced strong criticisms from the Opposition for not addressing the loan transparently and in a timely manner in the House.
It has been reported that the Retirement Fund Board acquired shares in Lulutai Airlines as part of the loan agreement.
The Retirement Fund Board oversees the administration of the retirement fund, which has grown to over $50 million since its establishment in 1999.
This couple’s case follows a growing trend of Tongan courts convicting employees for embezzlement and workplace theft.
As Kaniva News reported previously, a woman from Vava‘u who embezzled over TOP$50,000 from her employer, Heilala Vanila, had been sentenced to 29 months in prison.
Luseanne Ngaluafe Fatafehi, 33, was sentenced after she destroyed and burned records showing payments to farmers provided by a government ministry to the company.
