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Cyclone warning for Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s MetService has issued a strong wind warning with severe gales for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua today Sunday 28 at 4pm.

It said a tropical depression with an estimated winds of 55km/hr near its centre and is currently moving south east at 25 km/hr “could possibly become a tropical cyclone in the next 6 – 18 hours”.

In its “tropical cyclone advisory number four for Tonga”, the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning centre said : “A gale warning remains in force for the Niuas. A strong wind warnings remains in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua. A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Niuas”.

It said a gale warning remains in formce for all of Tonga waters.

A heavy damage swell warning remains in force for all Tonga waters, it said.

Lavulavu sacked from Infrastructure portfolio, told to work with no pay for five months

By
Kalino Latu
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Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva has punished Hon. ʻEtuate Lavulavu by removing him as Minister of Infrastructure and ordered him to work without pay for the first five months of 2016.

Hon. Lavulavu retains his post as Minister of Tourism.

The announcement of the sentence was made today at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa at a public gathering.

The sentence came after Hon. Lavulavu escaped a threat of Parliamentary impeachment last month that could have ended his career last month.

Clause 75 of Tongan constitution stipulates that if a minister is “found guilty it shall be lawful to dismiss him from office.”

While Hon Lavulavu’s impeachment was discussed in the House, Hon. Pohiva told members to leave it to him to punish the minister.

Hon. Lavulavu was investigated after a motion in August by Vava’u No 2 Nobles’ Representative Lord Tu’ilakepa triggered an investigation into claims the minister had breached the law by approving road maintenance works and payments for works in Vava’u without going through the government’s procurement committee.

In announcing his sentence, the Prime Minister did not give details of how he arrived at the minister’s sentence.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office inviting media to the Press Conference listed only three items on the agenda:

  1. Welcome.
  2. Statement delivered by the Prime Minister Hon. Samuela ʻAkilisi Pohiva.
  3. Note of Thanks.

It also noted that a press release would be delivered at the conference.

The media were not allowed to ask questions. Journalists, including Bruce Hill from Radio Australia, reacted suprisingly to the ruling on Facebook.

“Oh dear”, Bruce Hill said in a comment he made on a post by Tongan correspondent Monalisa Palu in which she said:

“PM’s decision: He will not remove Lavulavu but he will stay in power as Minister of Tourism only without pay for 5 months effective January. After announcement no questions were allowed. [That’s democracy] and then he asked people to clap. [Good that we know]”.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva has punished Hon. ʻEtuate Lavulavu by removing him as Minister of Infrastructure and ordered him to work without pay for the first five months of 2016.
  • The sentence came after Hon. Lavulavu escaped a threat of Parliamentary impeachment last month that could have ended his career last month.
  • Lavulavu was investigated after a motion in August by Vava’u No 2 Nobles’ Representative Lord Tu’ilakepa triggered an investigation into claims the minister had breached the law by approving road maintenance works and payments for works in Vava’u without going through the government’s procurement committee.
  • While Hon Lavulavu’s impeachment was discussed in the House, Hon. Pohiva told members to leave it to him to punish the minister.

For more information 

Hon. Lavulavu survives impeachment motion

Angry Lavulavu reacts to impeachment allegations, calls Speaker a ‘dictator’

Government approves five percent cost of living adjustment for civil servants

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Tongan government has approved five percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for its public servants.

The  CEO for Ministry of Revenue and Customs, ʻAnisi Bloomfield said all public servants will get backpay payments of the COLA starting from July 2015.

Outpouring of grief, love and condolence for Hufangalupe beach victim

By
Kaniva Staff
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Haini Muller died after he allegedly fell off the cliff while his friend who jumped in to rescue him was saved by Tonga Police. Photo/Iva Folaumoeloa (Facebook)

Tragedy struck a Fatai family, their friends and relatives during yesterday’s early hours after  a 24-year-old young man was killed in Hufangalupe beach in an alleged drowning incident.

Haini Muller died after he fell off cliff at the beach, according to family and friends.

Police said the cause of death of the 24-year-old man they found at Hufangalupe beach yesterday was still undetermined. They refused to confirm that the name of the victim was Haini Muller. They said they would release his details later.

Police Search and Rescue team were called to Vaini’s Hufangalupe Beach at about 4am Thursday 26 after recieving a report about the incident.

A friend of the victim jumped into the water in an attempt to save him but it was too late. The rescuer was later saved by Police from the sea.

Friends and relatives have turned to Facebook to post messages of shock, grief and condolences to Muller and his family.

Messages indicate Muller was the person who died at Hufangalupe yesterday morning Thursday 26. His parents were Tonga and Hanisi. The victim went to ‘Apifo’ou College and he was an active member of the Catholic Church youth movement known as Lataki.

Rest in Peace Haini Muller.. Fakatauange ke ‘oatu he ‘Otua ha nonga mo ha fiemalie kia HanisÄ« kae’uma si’i Tonga moe…

Posted by Siniva Finauvala Manu on Thursday, November 26, 2015

Really sad just found out one of my primary school friends Haini Muller have passed away in Tonga ? My only memory of you is when we fight in class 6 haha RIP toko ofa lahi atu!!

Posted by Louis Quirit Ova on Thursday, November 26, 2015

How I wish it’s not true, fly high Susan Helen Marie Muller (Haini Muller) condolences to you Tonga mo Hancy, Mikimila mo e Tonga e famili,

Posted by Angela Vaivelata on Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Rest in peace Haini Muller.. so sad you’re gone, never thought few months ago would be the very last time we speak, it’s sad you had to go this way,Rest easy cousin. Ofa Atu. ??

Posted by Sita Cook on Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Still can’t believe ur gone Haini Muller..last time I talk to u was at da nyt market 2 months ago??? omg stil sounds…

Posted by Iva Folaumoeloa on Thursday, November 26, 2015

One dead in Hufangalupe, rescuer was saved by Police from water

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 24-year-old man died at Hufangalupe beach and police were able to pull another man from the water after he jumped to rescue the victim, police have confirmed this to Kaniva News this morning.

Police search and rescue team were called to Vainiʻs Hufangalupe Beach at about 4am after they received a report the man fell into the water, said Telesia Adams, Police Communication and Media Officer.

“I can also confirm that the 24 year old died and our Search and Rescue Team also managed to rescue one other male who also jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the 24 year old man” Adams said.

Police have yet to inform the family of the victim.

The cause of death has not been confirmed and Adams said “more details will be released later”.

Police currently at Hūfangalupe after report a man jumped off cliff

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan Police  have confirmed there was an incident this morning involving a man who allegedly jumped off cliff at Hufangalupe beach but declined to comment further.

Police Superindent at Nukuʻalofa Central Police Station Tevita Fifita told Kaniva News this morning he heard about the incident on their teleradio  and told us to contact the Hahake Police Station as the case was within their juristiction.

An officer at Muʻa Police station said  a team of police officers were still at the scene and declined to make any further comments.

Moala launches stinging attack on Cabinet Secretary, claiming she should be dismissed

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Prime Minister’s media advisor, Kalafi Moala, has launched a stinging attack on Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr Palenitina Langa’oi.

His attack came in the wake of allegations of nepotism made in his newspaper Taimi ‘O Tonga against Dr Langa’oi, which were subsequently denied  by the government.

Moala, who has rowed with Dr Langa’oi over releasing e-mails discussing the Forbes magazine scandal,  has a part time position with the Prime Minister’s Office Press Unit.

He claimed that Dr Langa’oi had suppressed 17 press releases he had prepared for the Press Unit.

He did not give any details of what were in the press releases, but said it appeared Dr Langa’oi misconceived how the media worked.

The Chief Secretary did not respond to our request to give her side of the story to Kaniva News.

Moala, who no longer involved with daily operation of his paper and now running his own local radio station, claimed that Dr Langa’oi should be dismissed.

He said Hon. Pohiva was trying to make the working of the government transparent, but the Prime Minister’s Office had “closed its doors.”

Moala claimed many questions from the media went unanswered because of Dr Langa’oi.

“The Chief Secretary strictly controls and monitors how information should be released, but she has done it the wrong way,” Moala said.

Moala said Dr Langa’oi called him to a meeting after he released internal e-mails regarding the Forbes saga to Kaniva News.  Moala had accused the Finance Minister of being responsible for  signing the controversial contract with the magazine.

The e-mails were released by Moala to Kaniva News at the request of the magazine’s editor.

According to Moala, Dr Langa’oi told him he should not have released the e-mails as they were confidential.

Moala asked how the e-mails could be confidential when they had been sent to certain senior officials and copied to others.

Her “perception” about how the media work was wrong, Moala said.

Many questions from the media were left unanswered because they ended up with the Chief Secretary without Hon. Pohiva knowing about them, he claimed.

Moala alleged Dr Langa’oi had withheld most of their press releases and had refused to answer questions about travel expenses incurred by senior government officials.

He accused her of using procedures and administrative processes from the days of monarchical government.

“She is now the only person who advises and consult with the Prime Minister,” Moala said.

Yesterday the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement denying allegations in an article published by Moala’s Taimi ‘O Tonga newspaper.

The paper published an article alleging that there was grumbling among staff at the Ministry of Internal Affairs after they found out a former government officer, Nūnia Mone, who was now living in New Zealand, had been picked by the Prime Minister to become Trade Commissioner for Tonga in New Zealand.

The paper said the former officer was a friend of Dr Langa’oi and the cabinet was in the process of moving to pass the appointment.

The government press release denied the allegations in the article, saying Dr Langa’oi and  Mone were not friends and that the Prime Minister had not appointed anybody to such a position.

Taimi ‘O Tonga editor Sione Taukapo told Kaniva News he would not release the names of those in the Ministry of Internal Affairs who gave him the information.

Taukapo said the article was meant to publicly raise the issue before the appointment was passed by Cabinet.

He said the staff at the Ministry were happy the government had not gone ahead with the appointment as they questioned Mrs Mone’s qualifications to hold such an important post.

The main points

  • The Prime Minister’s media advisor, Kalafi Moala, has launched a stinging attack on Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr Palenitina Langa’oi.
  • Moala’s attack came in the wake of allegations of nepotism made in his newspaper Taimi ‘O Tonga against Dr Langa’oi, which were subsequently denied by the government.
  • He claimed that Dr Langa’oi had suppressed 17 press releases he had prepared for the Press Unit.
  • The Chief Secretary did not respond to our request to give her side of the story to Kaniva News.

For more information

Prime Minister’s office statement on Taimi ‘O Tonga (in Tongan)

Rows over Forbes scandal blows up as Moala and Dr Eke lash out at each other (Kaniva News)

Masked thief threatens Puke petrol station  attendant with knife, flees with cash

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tongan Police are hunting for a man who wore a hoodie covering his face while threatening an employee at a service station in Puke with a knife.

The incident took place last Friday 20 and the man escaped with about TP$500 of cash.

The owner of the service station Tevita Tuʻipulotu reportedly said the suspect confronted him with what he claimed as a knife while he was inside the service station office at about 9pm.

Tuʻipulotu said he yelled out at the suspect “robber, robber” before he took off.

The man was able to reach out to a wallet and the till and took the money.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva misses key meetings

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has pulled out of crucial international meetings due to his ill health.

The Prime Minister was invited to attend three separate meetings:

  • The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)  in Malta from November 24-29.
  • The 4th France-Oceania Summit in Paris, France on  November 26.
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)  in Paris, France on November 30 –  December 11.

Last week the Prime Minister’s office announced Hon Pohiva was in Auckland for a medical check-up.

“The Honourable Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva was officially invited to attend all three events but due to the results of his medical check-up last week, he has sent his regrets that he is not able to travel such long distance”, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Statement from the Prime Minister’s Office:

Government of Tonga leaders and representatives will be amongst other regional and national leaders as they participate in dialogue and negotiations at three separate meetings.  The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will take place in Malta from 24th to 29th November; the 4th France-Oceania Summit will take place in Paris, France on the 26th November; and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Paris, France on 30th November to 11 December 2015.

The Honourable Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva was officially invited to attend all three events but due to the results of his medical check-up last week, he has sent his regrets that he is not able to travel such long distance.

The Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry & Fisheries Semisi Fakahau, will lead the Tonga Government Delegation to the CHOGM meeting in Malta.  The theme for this year’s meeting is ‘The Commonwealth – Adding Global Value’ which highlights significant impact the Commonwealth has in providing solutions for small and developing states.  Hon. Minister Fakahau will be accompanied by Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Va’inga Tone.

The Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi leads Tonga’s delegation to the 4thFrance-Oceania Summit in Paris.  This Summit will bring together the Republic of France and Forum countries to dialogue about current political and security, economic, environmental, social and development issues.  It will also be an opportunity for Members to reaffirm agreed partnership positions across all areas of interest with France.  Tonga’s Permanent Ambassador to the UN, Mr. Mahe Tupouniua and Legal Officer from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms. ‘Elisapeta Lemoto are members of this delegation and will later join the CHOGM meeting and UNFCCC meeting.

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni will lead Tonga’s delegation to the UNFCCC, in particular, the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 21) and the 11th session of the Meeting of the Parties (CMP 11) to the Kyoto Protocol.  He will arrive in Paris on the 2nd of December and will deliver Tonga’s National statement at the High Level Segment on the 7th of December.  The objective of this conference is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate change.  CEO MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u, CEO Finance Mr. Tatafu Moeaki, Solicitor General Mr. Sione Sisifa and relevant government representatives are members of the delegation and will be in Paris this week to be part of important negotiations at this conference.

Taufahema found not guilty of murdering his wife, guilty of manslaughter

By
Kaniva Staff
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Lokoua Taufahema (left) was found not guilty Monday of killing his wife, Halaevalu Laionosi Taufahema (right), in 2014

A jury in Nuku’alofa has found a Tongatapu man on Monday 23 not guilty of murder but guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter of his wife Halaevalu Laionosi Taumoe’anga Taufahema.

Lokoua Taufahema, 43, pleaded guilty to his charge for manslaughter but he declared a not-guilty plea in March  for his charge of murdering the victim. He will be sentenced by Justice Charles Cato on December 18.

The jury heard a post modem examination found Halaevalu died after her body was doused with boiling cooking oil sometimes in December 26, 2014 before she was rushed to hospital by relatives. Prosecutors accused Lokoua scalded his wife with the hot-boiling cooking oil while she was asleep.

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