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Church minister visits Lapaha attack victim

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Catholic priest has yesterday visited the victim of Sunday’s Lapaha armed robbery attack in Vaiola hospital.

Fr. Leonaitasi Tongia spoke to the woman who was viciously punched until she fell to the floor and became unconscious.

A poignant image captured the moment Fr. Tongia blessed the woman who was known to locals as Malia Siaina or Malia the Chinese.

The priest placed a hand on Malia’s head while blessing her. The photo showed she suffered bruises and injuries to her head and face.

As Kaniva News reported this week, Police have arrested two teenage boys aged 16 and 17 after the 61-year-old was assaulted

Police said the incident happened at around 9pm on Sunday 19.

The intruders knocked on the door and it is believed they told the victim when they were outside they wanted to buy cigarettes, Police said.

Once the door was opened one of them forced his way inside and began attcking the victim At one stage they allegedly hit her head with a rock. They eventually fled with cigarettes, cash and other items, Police said.

Police alleged the teens had been sniffing benzene before they committed the crime.

For further information

Video captures horrific moment shopkeeper is beaten up by teenager

Gov’t officer hospitalised with stab wounds after Ha’apai attack

By
Kalino Latu
-

A senior government officer has stab wounds and head injuries after an attack in Ha’apai on March 20.

The 51-year-old victim has since been recovered at the Niu’ui hospital in Pangai, Police said.

A 38-year-old man was in custody after the attack and he was charged with grievous bodily harm.

Reports said the victim was the head of the government’s Ministry of Lands and Survey in Ha’apai.

It has been alleged that jealousy was the motive behind the stabbing after a woman was spotted with the victim.

Police investigation continues.

Cyclone Gita an opportunity to rebuild and make improvements, scholar says

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tropical Cyclone Gita, which struck Tonga in February, has given the kingdom an opportunity to rebuild, recover and tidy up in all aspects of life, according to a Tongan scholar.

Sione Tu’itahi, an educator, writer and Executive Director of the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand, said people may realise their spiritual, psychological, cultural and economic lives would have to be reviewed after the cyclone.

He said these included people having to pray more and putting into practice the spiritual teachings like helping one another or loving their neighbour.

“As in past natural disasters, Gita can serve as a catalyst for Tongans to pull together at all levels, sharing meagre resources, thus practising once more their essential and ancient wisdom of reciprocity,” Tu’itahi said.

He urged people to never sleep, but wake up and do something such as reducing expenses and spending less.

Tu’itahi said this was an opportunity for Tongans to improve and do things better than before.

“We are in the days of tidying up, recovery and renewal,” he said.

“These are days of building a new nation,” Tu’itahi told Kaniva News.

“If the foundation is right from the beginning the new nation building will last long and advantageous.”

The damage caused by the cyclone had inspired Tongans living overseas to practice their ‘manava’ofa’ and love their homeland and kāinga.

“It teaches our children to renew their love and help one another in their circle of kāinga,” he said.

Donation and damage

As Kaniva News has reported, the government said overseas donors have so far donated TP$52.6 million to Tonga and the money would be spent on the recovery process.

In its latest report on March 11 on the state of Tonga after Cyclone Gita, NEMO said 819 households had  been destroyed and 3889 households damaged.

In its report in February it said the Tongan government, NGOS and overseas aid donors are working to clean up and restore services after cyclone Gita, but 205 families are still in evacuation centres and the country’s agricultural sector has been severely hit.

A 30 day state of emergency which was announced after the cyclone was extended last week for another 30 days.

Director of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), Leveni Aho, said the fisheries sector in Tongatapu and ‘Eua had been hit hard by Cyclone Gita.

About 40% of fishing boats were damaged and fish fences were damaged.

“By all accounts, overseas media were in awe of the positive attitude and prompt response of many Tongan families and communities to take the challenge by the chin and tarry not. Instead, they rose the day after to rebuild and recover.” Tu’itahi said.

“Sharing both material such as food, clothing and shelter, and tangible wealth, such as loving compassion and care at times of tragedies (and times of plenty too) is not only a Tongan strategy for survival, but is also a core practice for equitable nation building.

It is one for all and all for one. No one is left behind, and those with the least need forego their own needs for their neighbours, who might have suffered more.”

Swells and winds

Tu’itahi said he had seen how his experience had been put into practice after two strong tropical cyclones which struck Tonga in 1961 and 1982.

He said a tropical cyclone affected Ha’apai and Vava’u in 1961. Tongatapu and ‘Eua were not affected. He said the cyclone was not named as the meteorology system at the time did not name cyclones.

Crops, one of the main sources of food, were hugely affected.

In 1982 tropical cyclone Isaac struck Tongatapu and Ha’apai and caused less damage in Vava’u.

It damaged a causeway in Ha’apai as well as a wharf and the foreshore ofn Tongatapu. Huge waves spilled inland and severely flooded part of the western side of Tongatapu, Tu’itahi said.

Tu’itahi recalled two milestone reconstructions after these two tropical cyclone.

After the 1961 tropical cyclone people from the outer islands relocated to the mainland Tongatapu and cleared up a swampy area at the north of Haveluloto in Nuku’alofa before they settled there. Today, that suburb is a commercial hub, with children and grandchildren of those migrant families being well-educated, making leading contributions in many fields to building Tonga, Tu’itahi said.

A new town was built after cyclone Isaac in 1982 as an extension of Patanga village on the eastern side of Nuku’alofa. People who were affected during the storm were invited to settle the town now known as Popua.

Tu’itahi said he had seen great offerings and donations from overseas countries to Tonga in the aftermath of cyclone Isaac.

“This shows us God has made everyone of us to love and help one another. Because we are related and connected and that what would make the fonua became one with the world in peace.”

Woman’s body found in Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police said a body of a 24-year-old woman was found at a property in Pahu on March 20.

Local news media reports said the body was found on Tuesday morning.

It is believed the woman had been at a house party with his husband and friends hours before she was found dead.

Formal identification is still taking place and nothing has been confirmed.

Police investigation continues.

Newborn princess named Nanasipau’u

By
Kalino Latu
-

The newest member of Tonga’s royal family was named Princess Nanasipau’u, the royal palace office has announced.

Crown Princess Sinaitakala gave birth to her and Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala’s third child yesterday March 20 at the Auckland City Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.

The royal birth was attended by Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u –  Prince Tupouto’a’s parents as well as Princess ‘Ofeina ‘E he Langi Fakafanua – Princess Sinaitakala’s mother.

Princess Nanasipau’u is fourth in line to the throne and she is Sinaitakala and Tupouto’a’s second daughter after Princess Halaevalu Mata’aho. Their son Prince Taufa’āhau is the eldest.

Tongan law firm challenges Caldwell over Chief Superintendant’s suspension

By
Philip Cass
-

A Tongan law firm has again written to Police Commissioner Steven Caldwell about a suspended police officer.

The letter asks Caldwell to reconsider the continued suspension of Chief Superintendent Tevita Fifita and return him to work.

It argued that Fifita was entitled to his salaries as from 24 November 2016.

“Our client was originally suspended on 24 November 2016 because criminal proceedings were said to have been commenced against him,” the letter said.

“The criminal charges against our client were dealt with last year and the Supreme Court cleared him of those criminal charges on 17 November 2017.

Fifita’s suspension was said to be extended in November 2017 because of his alleged failure to comply with the Police Motor Vehicles Policy and the Tongan Police Code of Conduct.

“We submit that those alleged breaches are not as serious as the criminal allegations for which he was suspended in November 2016. Furthermore, the factual findings of Judge Cato in our client’s case were not appealed against by the Crown and they still stand as facts.

“We therefore submit that our client is not facing allegations of serious breaches of discipline.”

The letter said the Police Employment Committee was challenging the judge’s finding in its disciplinary proceedings against Fifita.

“The proper procedure for challenging the Supreme Court’s judgement was to appeal to the Court of Appeal.” The letter said.

“The Court’s findings in favour of our client still stand, and PEC should respect them.”

The letter, signed by former Police Minister and lawyer Siosifa T. Tu’utafaiva, has  been copied to the Minister of Police.

For more information

Supreme Court discharges senior policeman without conviction

Petition complaints nothing new say police, as Commissioner works on cyclone recovery

Video captures horrific moment shopkeeper is beaten up by teenager

By
Kalino Latu
-

Kātaki kiliki he lea ko ‘ena ‘i ‘olunga ‘oku pehē – Watch on Facebook – ke ke sio ai he vitioo ‘i he Feisipuka. 

Shocking video clip shows how a female Chinese shopkeeper was brutally beaten up by a man who had forced his way into a shop in Lapaha on Sunday 19.

It is understood the shopkeeper, who was known to locals as Malia Siaina or Malia the Chinese, remains in Vaiola hospital in critical condition.

The video showed the moment when the victim opened the door and the man in bandana covering his face entered forcefully and started beating her until she repeatedly fell to the floor.

Kaniva News could not be able to independently verify the authenticity of the 17-second video clip, which appeared to have been taken with a cellphone from a computer which apparently monitored the CCTV.

However, Fulila Tangata’iloa of Lapaha told Kaniva News the victim’s son, Peni showed her the video clip on his phone.

Tangata’iloa said she was crushed when she watched the clip.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, Police have arrested two teenage boys aged 16 and 17 after the 61-year-old was assaulted

Police said the incident happened at around 9pm.

The intruders knocked on the door and it is believed they told the victim when they were outside they wanted to buy cigarettes, Police said.

Once the door was opened they assaulted the victim and at one stage they hit her head with a rock. They eventually fled with cigarettes, cash and other items, Police said.

Police alleged the teens had been sniffing benzene before they committed the crime.

Outrage as government bans girls from school rugby sports in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

A controversial letter purported to send a message  from the Ministry of Education and Training to a government principal informing them of a decision to ban girls from participating in footballs and boxing has sparked anger among the sport community.

The letter which was written in Tongan was addressed to the principal of Tonga High School on March 15. It was widely shared on Facebook since last night.

It claimed the decision was made by the Ministry’s CEO.

“Ko hono ‘uhinga he ‘oku fepaki ia mo ‘etau ‘ulungaanga fakafonua ki hono tauhi ke molumalu ‘a ha’a fafine, ‘o taau mo e tala tukufakaholo na’e fatu’aki ‘a e fakava’e na’e fakatoka talu pea mei ono’aho ‘o kehe ai ‘a Tonga pea mei ha toe fonua ‘i he Pasifiki pea mo mamani.”

This translates into English as: “The reason is because it is against our culture to keep women dignified so it still upholds the tradition of which its basis had been set out since the olden days making Tonga exceptional in the Pacific and the world.”

In an email to Kaniva News this morning, the Ministry’s CEO Claude Tupou did not deny the letter.

However, he told us to contact the principal of Tonga High School and asked them if they had received “an exact copy of the letter” which we sent him.

The Kaniva has not yet been able to reach Tonga High School principal.

Many took to Facebook to show their disbelief and anger.

One commentor wrote: “How about if he used his time to intervene with the school fights rather than ripping individuals off from having the opportunity to succeed in the future. Some may not do academically well but are beasts on that field. It’s also a sexist thing to do! We’re in the 21st century now! Can our government stop depriving our people by limiting what they should and should not do? Whether female or males, they should be granted the same opportunity. So dearest Minister of Education, you’ve killed a tree and wasted paper on some stupid ban!”

“Rubbish!!! why not?? girls have talents as well as boys! So much for equality!! That is why women should speak up for their rights! Then why allowed women in parliament?”, another wrote.

“I honestly cannot believe what I’m reading. So disappointing”

“Shouldn’t the minister be more concerned about the fighting amongst the schools. He should support and let the young women have that right to choose to play rugby or box.”

“What are we in the 1900’s!! Girls in Tonga should have the right to choose whatever sport they want, whether its rugby or boxing … instead of worrying bout girls playing rugby and boxing the minister of education should be looking at more important things LIKE how he can unite all schools as one to stop these brutal fights amongst eachothr … or something thats gonna contribute in a positive way not take away from Tongas education system! No disrespect in any way shape or form to our tongan traditions and customs but these are new times and a whole new generation … can someone remind him that its 2018 lol.”

Not everyone agreed with the critics.

Some said the Ministry made the right decision because they believed rugby and boxing were sports for men.

New Zealand Tonga Business Council raises $5000 for cyclone relief

By
Philip Cass
-

The New Zealand Tonga Business Council has raised NZ$5000 to aid recovery from Cyclone Gita.

The money will be  donated to the Tongan branch of the Red Cross.

Council chair Sione Taufa said most Tongans on the executive who had homes on Tongatapu which were damaged during the cyclone.

They also had relatives whose homes were damaged.

The money was raised during dinner after the annual lawn bowls event from donations and an auction.

Items auctioned off on the night were donated by Air New Zealand, Scenic Hotels, Villa Maria, Bob Wilton from Delegats, Reddy Group, New Zealand Warriors, Ralph Elika from ECG and Lion.

About 55 people attended, including Labour MP Anahila Suisuiki, broadcaster John Pulu and Dr. Staverton Kautoke.

The Tongan Tennis Club entered two teams sponsored by Digicel.  Tongan entrepreneur Lopi Faleafa and Rhys Faleafa entered a team, as did Pacific Trade and Investment.

This is not the first time the Council has raised funds for cyclone relief.

After Cyclone Ian in 2014 a breakfast auction was held to raise funds for Oxfam projects in Ha’apai.

The main points

  • The New Zealand Tonga Business Council raised NZ$5000 to aid recovery from Cyclone Gita.
  • The money will be donated to the Tongan branch of the Red Cross.
  • Council chair Sione Taufa said most Tongans on the executive had relatives whose homes were damaged.

Ministry accuses Chinese businesses of trading illegally and violating visa rules

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Ministry of Labour and Commerce has written to some Chinese-owned businesses in Tongatapu, demanding that they cease trading and warning that they have breached worker visas.

Businesses have been warned about violating health standards, of employing workers in areas not covered by their visas and providing fraudulent documents.

There were also concerns about Chinese business submitting documents in Chinese, rather than English.

Kaniva News has seen a letter dated January 23, 2018, addressed to the owner of Zenith Co. Ltd in Fangaloto. In the letter the Ministry’s CEO Edgar Cocker told Mrs Hui Qin Yu he was aware that Miss Chulin Zhang, Mr Qiuming Wu and Mr Wenchao Lin were all issued with Domestic Helpers Visas.

He said this meant they were only allowed to work in Hui’s resident in Pea and not at the business and factory at Fangaloto.

“In addition, Mrs Meili Song was issued a temporary visa in which the condition clearly stated that business, employment and study are prohibited. You are now violating the Immigration and Employment Act of Tonga,” Cocker told Hui.

“In inspecting your premises, the outside of the building is loaded with filthy and unpleasant materials and rubbish that are strictly prohibited and have health safety issues that the Ministry of Health should be made aware of.”

He said Hui breached her tenancy agreement which said the tenant must keep the premise and its surroundings clean.

In a letter to the Directors of GX Enterprises Co. Ltd in Nuku’alofa, Mr Guangxiong Chen and Ms QiQi Li on January 22, 2018 Mr. Cocker said the business operated without a license and what they had written on their statement of management and ownership was “a fictitious statement, that is not acceptable…”

“You are carrying a business activity that is considered illegal. You must close your business now, and provide me with factual and verified statement to furnish your application for a Business License,” Mr. Cocker said.

Mr. Cocker also wrote to Mr Jianhua Hu and Mr Yingjian Zhang of the Tonga Tourism and Economy Development Group Ltd and said he could not  accept documents they submitted in the processing of their business license which were in Chinese.

“I cannot accept signatures in Chinese by Shudong Zhu, Jian Hua Hu and Mr Yang Lu,” Mr. Cocker said.

Labour inspectors found some Chinese premises did not meet hygiene and safety standards.

There were also concerns about the labelling of some products in Chinese that were not translated into English. There were also claims that they appeared not to have been approved for sale by Health authorities.

There were also claims some of these businesses had breached their tenancy agreements.

For more information

Tongan stores defunct as Chinese businesses increasingly take over, businessman claims

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