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Police arrest eight people, seize meth, paraphernalia and ammo in Tongatapu

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongatapu Police arrested eight people and seized five packs of methamphetamine, drugs paraphernalia, live bullets and cash from two different locations in ongoing drug operation. 

On Monday evening July 1, 2019 the Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce arrested seven people, five men and two women, from a residence in Kolomotu’a with four packs of methamphetamine (2.07 grams), drugs paraphernalia, cash and 17 live bullets.

The seven arrested range from the age of 22 to 48 from Kolomotu’a, Kolofo’ou, Tokomololo and Havelu.

Following this arrest, at around 9:00 pm the Drug Enforcement Taskforce arrested a 44-year-old man from Kolomotu’a with one pack of methamphetamine (0.38 grams) and drugs paraphernalia.

All eight suspects have been charged with possession of illicit drugs and are in police custody to appear at the Magistrate Court at a later date,

“We encourage anyone who may have information about drug related offending to contact their nearest Police station, Police emergency Number 922 or 22782.” 

Tonga holds week of celebrations to mark king’s birthday; Heilala festival underway

By
Philip Cass
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The Miss Tau’olunga competition is being held in the Queen Sālote memorial hall in Nuku’alofa this evening.

The Tau’olunga is the dance component of the Miss Heilala competition.

The island creation and sarong segment will be held tomorrow night, with the talent competition on Thursday and the grand Heilala ball and crowning on Friday.

The winner of the Miss Heilala competition is expected to assist the Tonga Visitors Bureau/Ministry of Tourism and the Kingdom of Tonga’s tourism industry in tourism promotions both locally and abroad.

In addition, the Miss Heilala will also be the Kingdom of Tonga’s entrant in the Miss South Pacific Pageant.

King’s birthday

The Miss Heilala competition is being held against a backdrop of celebrations to mark Tupou VI’s 60th birthday.

The king’s birthday is officially celebrated today.

Last night the former principal of Tupou High School and academic, Rev Dr Geoffrey Cummins presented  a lecture on the making of a nation to launch the celebration.

Other celebrations scheduled for this week include marches, traditional dance and music competitions, games and sporting activities, as well as prayer meetings and choir singing.

Conference

This week also saw the end of the annual conference of the Free Wesleyan Church, Tonmga’ main religious denomination.

The conference avoided a possibly confrontational discussion on homosexuality.

Radio New Zealand reported that the conference organisers refused to let delegates from Australia put the issue on the agenda.

Instead, participants were told the issue would set aside for further work to be done by the President’s office and a definitive position to be presented next year.

Conference leaders affirmed that the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga stood on its traditional doctrine.

The kingdom’s LGBTI community has long called for reforms to Tongan legislation.

Meanwhile, delegate elected Reverend Dr ‘Ahio for an 11th year as president of the Free Wesleyan Church.

The main points

  • Tonga has begun a week-long celebration to mark Tupou VI’s 60th birthday.
  • The Heilala Festival is also underway,  with the Miss Tau’olunga competition being held in the Queen Salote memorial hall Nuku’alofa since this evening.

Tonga urged to continue its support for West Papua’s struggle for independence at the UN

By
Philip Cass
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West Papuan human rights activist Rosa Moiwend has asked Tonga to continue its support or her people’s struggle for independence.

She told Kaniva news it was important to support Vanuatu’s effort to prepare a resolution to have West Papua placed on the agenda of the United Nations Decolonisation Committee.

Moiwend, who has been on a speaking tour of New Zealand and last night addressed a meeting at the St Columba centre in Auckland, said there had been a continuing effort to have West Papua put on the list of countries under consideration by the committee.

Last year the committee refused to accept a petition, reportedly supported by70% of West Papuans, asking the UN to appoint a special representative to investigate human rights abuses by Indonesian soldiers and police.

The petition called for the UN “to put West Papua back on the decolonisation committee agenda and ensure their right to self‐determination … is respected by holding an internationally supervised vote.”

Indonesia’s representative to the UN, Dian Triansyah Djani, is a vice-chair of the Decolonisation Committee.

Moiwend said Tonga was one of seven Pacific nations which spoke out on behalf of West Papua at the UN General Assembly in 2015.

The seven nations which form the Pacific Island Council on West Papua, are Tonga, Vanuatu, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands.

Speaking to the General Assembly that year, Prime Minister ’Akilisi Pohiva called on the UN to help West Papua, whose people have suffered under a brutal Indonesian occupation for nearly 60 years.

“Tonga does not condone the injustice, cruel violation of human rights and dignity and brutal treatment in West Papua,” Hon. Pohiva said.

“The United Nations has a duty to closely follow up this West Papua case and [take] necessary action to stop these brutal and inhumane activities.”

He said world leaders should work together against what was happening in West Papua.

Humanitarian

As Kaniva news reported at the time, West Papuan representative Rev Socratez Yoman praised Hon. Pohiva, saying: “These are humanitarian issues and he is concerned. He sees with his heart and knows it is not a good situation. As the leader of an independent state he should support West Papua.”

Last year Indonesia launched a multi-million dollar programme to influence Pacific nations, including a trade expo which open in Auckland on July 11-14.

Radio New Zealand has reported that Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Semisi Lafu Kioa Sika is expected to attend.

New Zealand

The New Zealand government’ attitude toward the West Papuan issue remains uncertain.

West Papua Action Auckland described the situation in West Papua since the Indonesian take-over in 1963 as ‘slow genocide,’ but said the New Zealand government was all but silent on the mounting crisis.  

While Labour MPs Jennie Salesa and Carmel Sepuloni met with Rev Yoman when he visited New Zealand in 2016, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, said last year New Zealand recognised West Papua as part of Indonesia.

The main points

  • West Papuan human right activist Rosa Moiwend has asked Tonga to continue its support or her people’s struggle for independence.
  • Moiwend told Kaniva news it was important to continue supporting effort to have the West Papuan issue properly acknowledged  by the UN.
  • She said Tonga was one of seven Pacific nations which had spoken out on behalf of West Papua at the UN General Assembly in 2016.

For more information

https://www.ipwp.org/uncategorized/hon-akilisi-pohiva-true-pacific-leader-speaks-for-west-papua-at-the-un-by-gary-juffa-governor-of-oro-province-papua-new-guinea/
Rev Socratez Yoman: ‘Akilisi Pohiva is the only Polynesian leader who has publicly shown support for West Papua

Hopes for second gold for boxer Sione Mōleni dashed by row between coach and secretary; Father says he “really feels for his son”

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s hopes for Pacific Mini-Games gold medalist Sione Mōleni to secure another first gold medal in next week’s Pacific Games in Samoa have ended.

The boxer was part of the team brought to Tonga by New Zealand trainer Fili Maka  for the National Boxing Tournament in March.

He has been caught up in the aftermath of a furious row that broke out between Maka and Tongan Boxing Association secretary Mataele Fūnaki over accusations that the Tongan organisers had not kept their promise to the New Zealand athletes.

As Kaniva news reported earlier, Fūnaki demanded an apology from Maka before he would endorse four boxing champions from Maka’s camp to represent Tonga at the Pacific Games. Maka refused.

Chairman of Tonga Sports Council, ‘Īkani Taliai said the TSC would not fund a team that had not reached the right standard or was not properly organised.

He said this had been made clear to all sporting bodies and the boxing team was no exception.

“They know that if they don’t select the most appropriate athletes, which obviously includes the New Zealand-based ones, we will not fund then,” Taliai said.

The CEO for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dr Fotu Fisi’iahi, told Kaniva news he met with Fūnaki on June 18 and they had discussion about any chances to change the decision he made against Maka’s team, but it was too late as the deadline was June 14

Sione’s father Talāsinga Mōleni said he really felt for his son.

Talāsinga said he took his son to New Zealand at his own expense so that he could receive better training and a proper boxing diet in the hope that he would be picked by the Tongan Boxing Association to represent Tonga in the Pacific Games.

He said he did the same thing in 2017 when he took his son to Australia for training before he represented Tonga in the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu. Sione won a gold medal for Tonga.

Talāsinga said his son had an opportunity to fight during the Auckland Amateur Champions next month.

He said his son’s priority was Tonga and even though he joined the National Boxing Tournament in March as a member of the New Zealand Tongan team it was just part of his preparation to represent the kingdom.

Dr Fisi’iahi said he understood how parents vied for their children to have a chance in the Pacific Games, but his Ministry could not do anything and there was not much time left.

He said he was told by Fūnaki he had contacted Maka to submit a letter of apologies before his team could be included in the list but Maka did not respond.

Dr Fisi’iahi said there had been prospects for Sione.

The main points

  • Tonga’s hope for Pacific Mini-Games gold medalist Sione Moleni to secure another first in next week’s Pacific Games in Samoa have ended.
  • The boxer was part of the team brought to Tonga by New Zealand trainer Fili Maka  for the National Boxing Tournament in March.
  • He has been caught up in the aftermath of a furious row that broke out between Maka and Tongan Boxing Association secretary Mataele Funaki.

For more information

Trainer says his story twisted; TBA denies politics involved in decision to drop boxing winners for Pacific Games
TBA, NZ boxing saga “disappointing”; gov’t can only fund Pacific Games “most appropriate athletes”, warns Sports Chairman

Hunt for killer of Tongan man who was shot at Auckland park still on

By
Kalino Latu
-

More than five weeks ago Samiuela Anania Tupou, 21, died at Seaside Park in Ōtāhuhu in the early hours of May 25.

Police said today they were still searching for Tupou’s killer or killers, Stuff has reported.

He was found in critical condition and later died at the scene despite medical attention.

Tupou had just recently returned from the United States to live with his family in Mangere before he died.

Counties Manukau CIB detective senior Sergeant Malcolm Hassall told Stuff Tupou had no criminal history and they believed the offender was not known to him.

He said investigations were ongoing.

“Police are actively following lines of enquiry in relation to the offender or offenders involved,” Hassall told Stuff.

They still wanted to hear from anyone who saw a light- or gold-coloured people mover, similar to a Honda Odyssey, in south Auckland on May 25 between 2am and 6am.

“Several members of the public have contacted police with information about this homicide investigation.”

Tupou was described by friends and family as a fun-loving, hardworking young man.

Ma’ake Hauto, Tupou’s former schoolmate from Salt Lake City in the US, said he always had a big smile on and was always willing to help others “no matter what”.

Another friend Lavelua Pulu said Tupous was “just another older brother on the lookout”, who would always check in on his friends.

Hassall said police are still encouraging anyone with information to get in touch with the Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1321 or Crimestoppers anonymously.

Readers condemn Folau in latest round of letters on Samoan pastor’s article

By
Philip Cass
-

A year after he condemned comments by Israel Folau about gay people, an article by a Samoan pastor in South Auckland is still drawing comments from readers.

However, while most of the original comments supported Folau, the latest comments express a different view.

Rev Apelu Tielu, who was ordained in the Uniting Church in Australia, was a minister in the Pacific Islanders in the Papakura parish of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

When Folau, who is of Tongan descent,  first drew attention to his beliefs in April last year, saying gays would go to hell unless they repented, Rev Tielu wrote an article for E-Tangtata saying that Folau’s comments made him cringe.

In the article he said Folau’s views did not represent the core values of Christianity.

Since the footballer’s most recent statement and the furore over his effort to raise funds to pay his legal costs, the article had drawn almost as many letters as when it was originally published.

Rev Tielu, whose daughter is gay, said Folau was irresponsible for not taking the time to consider the effect of his  comments on vulnerable people.

“It appears he hasn’t taken the time to reflect on his status in wider society, and how his words and actions would impact on his fans,” Rev Tielu said.

He also expressed concerns about the public expression of support from Folau’s wife.

“Israel and Maria Folau are probably the biggest stars in their respective sports — rugby in Australia and netball in New Zealand.

“As such, they’re role models for aspiring young rugby and netball players, especially in the Pacific Islands community. Their fans look up to them, whether they like it or not.”

Rev Tielu acknowledged that many Islander held a particular understanding of Christianity.

“I know the church used “fire and brimstone” tactics to scare people into conversion and to control people,” he said.

“I know there are still a lot of pastors using these tactics, especially those that have never set foot inside a theological college.

“I also know the majority of Pacific people and churches share this understanding of Christianity.”

The most recent  comments on Rev Tielu’ article for E-Tangata article reflect a range of views, from condemnation of Folau’s position on gays to his attempt to raise funds  for his legal costs.  

There is also  some questioning of Rev Tielu’s potion.

‘Peter’ wrote: “It’s not the job of Christians to be the moral voice in the world, it’s only to love their neighbour and support each other in this life. I agree whole heartedly with you on this. I disagree on your take on Paul and ‘lay’ folk understanding of scripture. Paul’s gospel is one of forgiveness and grace, the opposite of judgement and condemnation. The old covenant was one of judgment, Paul clearly wrote about the new covenant and reserved his most scathing comments for those who tried to bring Christians under the law.”

‘Paul’ wrote: “I don’t agree with his hate or now trying to cover what he said. I also disagree with a millionaire not paying his own legal fees and if he does win gaining more from hate.”

‘Vivienne’ wrote: “Israel, Israel, God is calling, calling thee from lands of woe…He is telling you to give your donations from the GoFundMe page to the sick, the needy, the hungry, the homeless, the poor and less fortunate. You have made millions of dollars and many fans through your elite sporting commitments, a chance that not many great sports people could ever achieve…many people struggle and don’t ask for handouts and yet a man of your calibre has no shame to ask for millions for your actions. Through a simple lack of poor judgement you encountered you were terminated from a sporting career that has won many fans over. And look where you are now! Begging for help! The sick and afflicted cannot get $10,000 let alone $3,000,000.”

‘Jan’ wrote: “Israel Folau supporters say ‘Truth Hurts.’. But Jesus continually condemns teachers of the law and Pharisees for the ‘Truth’ of their judgemental preaching of the law. Matthew 23:15 Jesus says “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.”

Bro Junior Metuangaro wrote: “I hope that by the grace of God, Israel Folau will be more careful how to present the word of God.  My prayer is that we should still love those who may not agree with us.”

‘Stephan’ wrote:  “So, like most amateur preachers… Folau picks and chooses from Holy Writ what he condemns.”

‘Jo Kennedy wrote: “Jesus said nothing regarding homosexuality. These people like Israel Folau cherry pick the Bible to reinforce their bigotry. The quote he used is from Paul – who never saw Jesus or heard him speak.”

‘Jan’ wrote: “Matthew 23: ‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.’ “

‘Tupe’ wrote: “Why would someone go to hell because they loved? When I see my cousin and his husband hold hands I don’t think  ‘Aaww he’s going to hell.’ I think ‘Wow I wish that love and understanding for myself and others.’”

Supreme Court acquits man over electrocution death; judge says gross negligence not proven

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has acquitted a man on a charge of manslaughter following a death by electrocution.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the charge had not been proven  to  the required  standard.

The court was told that on August 3, 2017 Uilisoni Falahola set up a double fluorescent light in a tent being used for food preparation at a funeral at Kolomotu’a.   The light fixture   was unsafe and  because of  its manner  of  installation,  caused  the  metal tent poles  to  be charged  with electricity.  

Matiu Faletau and others were in the tent. He was cleaning cow intestines and slicing them into a pot. When he touched  the lid of the pot he got an electric shock.

‘Isileli Palu came  from  the back and grabbed the tent pole, shouted “oiaue” and fell to  the ground. 

A later investigation showed the light fixture had been tied to the tent’s metal pole and there were two extension cords to run the power to a neighbour’s property.  The extension  cords were found to follow approved  standards, but  the light  fixture was   not safe.

The power cord of the light fixture had been extended.  It  appeared  the power cord had been cut  and two wires spliced on to it so as to lengthen it. These wires were a live wire and a neutral wire. These additional wires were in turn connected to the light fixture.

The additional wires were not properly insulated – or insulation tape that was used had, over time, come away in places – because the live wire was exposed at one point. There was no  protective earth wire connected to the light fixture. 

Part of the wiring was exposed and touching the tent’s metallic frame when Pulu touched the frame.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the principle in this case was whether it had been proved beyond reasonable doubt that Falahola breached  his duty to  take  care in the circumstances.

He said it would be necessary to prove that gross negligence had occurred.

“The   standard  of  negligence  presumes  that  a reasonable man would have foreseen some particular consequence as the result of doing or omitting to do some act,” the judge said.

“This is not a  case where Falahola  knew that the light fixture was unsafe and went ahead to install it anyway, nor do I consider that he was indifferent to whether  it was safe or  not. 

“Having seen and heard him give his evidence, I do not regard him as a man who would be reckless with the safety of others.”

The judge said Falahola gave evidence that the light fixture came from Tonga High School where it was in use and that he had used it himself at home without incident. Having a great deal of previous experience  in the  safe use of  this light  fixture it  was  not  unreasonable  that Mr Falahola would consider it safe to use on this occasion also.

“Falahola said, and I accept, that after installing the light fixture he touched the tent and did not get a shock,” he said.

“In those circumstances, I can understand  that he would be satisfied that the installation  had been  completed safely.

“The evidence of Falahola, which again I accept, was that Palu  was  told  that  the tent  was live and went  ahead and  touched  it anyway.

“Falahola unknowingly created  a  dangerous  situation  when  he  installed  the  light  fixture,  Palu voluntarily  touched  the  tent  pole  in  full  knowledge  of  the    danger.

“It was not  therefore proven beyond reasonable doubt  that Falahola’s conduct was, in law, the cause of Palu’s death.”

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has acquitted a man on a charge of manslaughter following a death by electrocution.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the charge  had not been  proven  to  the required  standard.

Australian appetite for drugs feeds billion dollar trade that threatens Tonga, other islands, through smuggling and domestic abuse

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga is the victim of the appetite for methamphetamine and cocaine in Australia and New Zealand, according to an investigation by the Guardian.

The report by Kate Lyons, said Tonga, Samoa, Fiji were suffering because of addiction, corruption and violence caused by trans-Pacific smuggling and a growing domestic appetite for the drug.

However, the Guardian report said it was the demand for drugs in cities such as Sydney and Auckland that was causing the real damage in the islands.

It said drug users in these centre paid the highest price per gram (about NZ$314) for cocaine and had the highest cocaine use per capita in the world.

“If we didn’t have Australian and New Zealand drug markets, we wouldn’t have the movement of drugs through the Pacific,” researcher Jose Sousa-Santos from Massey University in New Zealand.

John Coyne from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said Pacific nations were the “victims” of being caught between Australia and its drug supplier.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the affect of Australia for illicit drugs has on countries in the Pacific,” he said.

Drug cartels were storing billions of dollars worth of drugs on island beaches and offshore, the Guardian said.

Smuggling across the Pacific has grown drastically in recent years. The Australian Federal Police have seized about 7.5 tonnes of cocaine hidden in yachts since 2014.

Superintendent Brett Kidner, who was senior Pacific liaison officer for the AFP until the start of this year, said he had seen an increase  in the domestic use of drug in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

Taskforce

In February this year Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga formed a Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Pacific Taskforce to combat crime in the Pacific.

Tonga Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said the Tonga Police had initiated a drug taskforce to combat illicit drugs.

“This arrangement will allow a stronger regional response to fight organised crime impacting on the Pacific,” Commissioner Caldwell said.

Drug use in Tonga has been described as a “tsunami.” According to a One News report, there are five major methamphetamine syndicates in the kingdom, selling the drug for TP$400 to TP$600 a gram.

As Kaniva news reported earlier this year, Tonga’s anti-drug task force has continued make arrests in the kingdom.

Police seized about $US1.2 million worth of methamphetamines during an operation in Fāhefa.

Convicted criminals deported to Tonga have been blamed by some for introducing the drug trade, but there have been accusation that people at the highest levels of society are involved.

Highest levels

Australian court files hold a copy of a letter written in 2010 by  Lord Tu’ilakepa on behalf of Colombian drug lord Obeil Antonio Zuluaga Gomez.

According to Australian Federal Police, Gomez wanted to use Tonga as a hub for a global conspiracy to ship hundreds of kilograms of cocaine to Australia and China.

Tu’ilakepa had never met Gomez, but wrote a letter to the head of the Immigration Department offering to sponsor him so he could get an urgent visa to come to Tonga.

“I can also vouch that [he] is an honest, trustworthy and law abiding person,” Tu’ilakepa wrote. Gomez had done jail time for drug trafficking.

Drug Taskforce arrests

Tonga’ Drug Taskforce arrested dozens of people on drug charge since Christmas.

Police officers from the Drugs Taskforce arrested suspects and confiscated guns, ammunition and drugs in Vava’u and Tongatapu over the Christmas break.

“The harm that methamphetamine causes in our community cannot be overstated,” Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai said.

“Drugs destroy the lives of the users, harming our children and our communities.”

Police seized about $US1.2 million worth of methamphetamine during a drug operation in Fahefa.

Last month police arrested four men seized 55 packs of cannabis (49.86 grams) and15 packs of methamphetamine (97.47 grams) along with drug paraphernalia and cash.

During the Easter Public holidays, they arrested 17 people at three different locations in ongoing drugs operations.

In April the Drug Taskforce arrested 10 men in Hofoa and seized 30 packs of methamphetamine  and nine packs of cannabis, ammunition and cash.

They also arrested five men in Havelu and seized 15 packs of methamphetamine. Police also arrested a 26-year-old woman from Touliki and 20-year-old man from Houmakelikao for possessing methamphetamine.

In March Quarantine Officers at the Fua’amotu International Airport intercepted 242.22 grams of cannabis seeds being illegally brought into the country.

The main points

  • Tonga is the victim of the appetite for metamphetamine and cocaine in Australia and New Zealand, according to an investigation by the Guardian.
  • The report by Kate Lyons, said Tonga, Samoa, Fiji were suffering because of addiction, corruption and violence caused by trans-Pacific smuggling and a growing domestic appetite for the drug.

For more information

Tongans named over drug bust face charges of possession and importing meth
Hard-hitting documentary explores Tongan ‘deportee dumping’ lives
Twenty people arrested in drugs, guns and ammo bust during Christmas
Drug Taskforce arrests four over cannabis and meths for sale in kingdom’ latest drugs bust

Supreme Court convicts policewoman of six counts of fraud for falsifying university records

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has convicted a police woman of six counts of fraud.

The court was told that Malia Kolokiloloma Fanua falsified the results of her studies at the University of the South Pacific in order to receive funding from the Tongan police.

Australia and New Zealand gave aid to Tonga Police for members of the Tonga Police to study at the University of the South Pacific campus at ‘Atele in Tongatapu.

To obtain funds to pay for the study,  police had to sign a promissory note to repay the fund to Tonga Police if they failed to pass or complete the subjects.

The accused has  been  taking  a  Bachelor  of  Art, majoring  in  Pacific  Policies since  2005. 

She was charged on the following counts:

That on January 26, 2017 she made a false document  by altering her exam  results  of  her  subject,  Legislation  (no.  LW112  at   the University   of   the   South   Pacific)   from   “C”   to “B+”   on   her Notification   of  Exam  Results  for  Semester  II   in  2016  with   the intention  that Tonga  Police  would  act  on  it  as if it  was  a genuine document.

That on January 26, 2017 she made a false document  by altering her exam  results  for  her  subject,  Courts  &  Dispute  Resolution   (no. LW113 at the University of  the South  Pacific)  from “C” to “A”  on her  Notification  of  Exam  Results  for Semester  II  in  2016 with  the intention  that Tonga  Police  would  act  on  it  as if it  was  a genuine document.

That  on  January 26,  2017,  she  used  the  forged  Notification   of Exams  for Semester  2 of 2016 as if it was genuine by submitting it to support  her  Promissory  Note  application  for  further  funding from Tonga Police, knowing that    that exam result was a forgery.

That on  July 11, 2017, she made a false document  by altering her exam results for her   subject, Legal Ethics (LW306 at the University of the South  Pacific)  from  “C”  to “B+” in her Notification of Exam Results for Semester 1 in 2017 with the intention that the Tonga Police would act on it as if it was a genuine document.

That  on  July  11, 2017,  she  made  a  false  document  by  altering  her exam results for  her subject, Tourism in Less Developed Countries, (TS310 at the University  of  the South  Pacific) from “C”  to  “B”  in her  Notification  of  Exam  Results  for Semester  1 in  2017  with  the intention   that   the  Tonga  Police  would  act  on  it  as  if  it  was  a genuine   document.

That on July 11, 2017, she used the forged Notification  of  Exam Results for Semester 1 of 2017 as if it was genuine by submitting it to support her Promissory Note application  for further funding from Tonga Police, knowing that that exam result was a forgery.

Fanua pleaded not guilty to all six counts and elected trial by Judge  alone.

The court was told the accused printed out statement from USP and falsified her results.

After hearing extensive evidence from police and USP witnesses Judge L.M.Niu said the only person able to make the change to the document was the accused and that he had done so in order to obtain a financial benefit from the police. She had been praised by the Commissioner of Police because of her falsified records.

“I am therefore satisfied, on the evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the  accused, with the intent to deceive the Tonga Police, made a false document by making a material alteration by altering the result C to the result B+ in respect the subject Legislation and by altering the result C to the result A in respect of the subject Courts & Dispute Resolution in the genuine USP Notification of Exam Results printout which has been produced as Exhibit C,” Judge Niu said.

“I therefore find  the accused guilty of the charges in counts 1 and 2.

“I am also satisfied, on the evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the accused,  with the intent to deceive the Tonga Police, made a false docwnent by making a material alteration by altering the result C to the result B+ in respect of the subject Legal Ethics and by altering the result C to the result B in respect of the subject Tourism in Less Dev. Countries in the genuine USP Notification of Exam Results printout which has been produced as Exhibit A3.

“I  therefore  find  the  accused  guilty of  the charges in counts 3 and 4.

“I am also satisfied on the evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the accused knowing that the two said genuine printouts have  been  forged  by  the  said alterations which she had made to them, used them  by submitting them to support  her promissory note application for further  funding  from  Tonga  Police  knowing that those exam results were forgeries.

“I therefore find the accused guilty of the charges in counts 5 and 6.”

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has convicted a police woman of six counts of fraud.
  • The court was told that Malia Kolokiloloma Fanua falsified the results of her studies at the University of the South Pacific in order to receive funding from the Tongan police.

Teacher arrested with cannabis grown at ‘Eua High School

By
Kalino Latu
-

A teacher at ‘Eua High School has been arrested after Police seized cannabis plants grown at the school compound, Police said today.

‘Eua Police disrupted a cannabis growing operation and arrested the 42-year-old man from Tufuvai ‘Eua this morning at around 8:30 am following an ongoing drugs operation.

“Police located 51 cannabis plants growing inside and outside the ‘Eua High School compound,” says Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai.

The suspect is a teacher at ‘Eua High School and was arrested by Police while watering the cannabis plants.

Thirty three cannabis plants were seized from inside the school compound, and 18 plants were seized from an area immediately outside of the school compound.

“This is a significant result as part of the main objective of police operation is to help the community feel safe and we are hopeful the operation will have a positive effect in reducing drug related harm in the community.

The impact of any ongoing supply of illicit drugs on a community results in huge social harm, negative health implications and financial harm, particularly to drug users and their families.”

Anyone who wishes to give information anonymously about criminal activity can do so by ringing Police Emergency number 922 or 22782.

The suspect is in police custody while investigation continues.

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