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PM waits for advice from department heads after Lord Sevele refuses to resign from Olympic body

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan Prime Minister’Akilisi Pohiva is waiting for advice from government department heads after Lord Sevele ‘O Vailahi refused to resign as head of the kingdom’s Olympic committee.

The Prime Minister demanded Lord Sevele’s resignation and that of several committee members over alleged failings and delays in preparation for the 2019 South Pacific Games.

Lord Sevele has denied Hon. Pohiva’s accusations, accusing the government of not acting fast enough to support the planning and wanting to change the way preparations were carried out.

Questions have also been raised about the way a NZ$2 million grant from the New Zealand government has been spent.

Kaniva News was told this morning that the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Tonga’s Solicitor General and the Ministry of Internal Affairs CEO are looking at how the Prime Minister should respond after Lord Sevele and some of the committee members in the Tonga South Pacific Games 2019 Committee (SPGC) refused the PM’s demand for their resignation.

The Prime Minister wrote to Lord Sevele, the Chair of SPGC 2019, the Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau, Committee Member Sakopo Lolohea and Newly Appointed Consultant Ringo Fa’oliu on December 15 last year and told them to voluntarily resign by December 18.

They were not warned of any consequences if they did not resign.

“I have been directed to provide the following response: The Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister are waiting for work conducted by these three bodies – Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Government’s Solicitor General and the Ministry of Internal Affairs CEO,” ‘Olita Tupou of the Prime Minister’s Office told Kaniva News.

Lord Sevele wrote to Hon. Pohiva on December 17, 2015, saying that according to his contract with the SPGC, the Prime Minister had no power to force him and General Secretary Taumoepeau to resign.

Lord Sevele, who is a former Prime Minister, said he and those committee members Hon. Pohiva had told to resign, would not step down.

Lord Sevele denied Hon. Pohiva’s claim that preparations for the South Pacific Games in 2019 were late.

He also disagreed with Hon. Pohiva’s claim that the committee members’ salaries were “excessive” and “extravagant.”

Lord Sevele justified their salaries on the grounds that they were the right people with the right experiences and skills to run the committee.

Hon. Pohiva’s letter to Lord Sevele was headed : “Displeasure and Concerns of the Hon. Prime Minister and Cabinet over the Performance and Involvement of the Chairman and Staff of the Organizing Committee for the South Pacific Games 2019.””

In the letter the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment at the progress “of the work that has been carried out by the previous Government and the Committee to secure funds and resources that includes land, manpower and progressive planning.”

The Prime Minister reminded Lord Sevele it was the responsibility of his government to make sure the 2019 Games were a success.

Hon. Pohiva told Lord Sevele it was unfortunate the committee has failed to acquire funding in time.

Hon. Pohiva said salaries for the committee and its staff members were excessive compared to their various roles and what they had been achieved so far.

“The South Pacific Games Committee is excessively paying its leadership and staff with extravagant monies rewarding themselves for non to minimum performance towards the preparation for the 2019 South Pacific Games,” Hon. Pohiva said in his letter.

Hon. Pohiva accused Lord Sevele of failing to do his job, saying, there was no “positive progress in the preparations for the Games since the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer and under his governance.”

The Prime Minister also raised his concerns about a NZ$2 million commitment to the Teufaiva Stadium upgrade by the New Zealand government.

Hon. Pohiha held Lord Sevele accountable for the problem after New Zealand stopped the release of the balance of the grant after NZ$102,000 was used for the Stadium Upgrade Design and Games Venue Master Plan.

A total of NZ$98,304.16 has yet to be paid to contractor BECA for work on the Games Venue Master Plan.

The Prime Minister said the New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner in Tonga wrote to the Chief Executive Officer for Internal Affairs and said the Grant Funding Arrangement for the Games Venue Master Plan and the Stadium Upgrade Design had now expired.

Hon. Pohiva also expressed his concerns at the salaries of the executive committee, which he described as “excessive” and “extravagant”.  This including Lord Sevele’s basic annual salary of $180,000. Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau is paid an annual salary of  $40,000 for working part time and committee member Sakopo Lolohea is paid an annual salary of $45,000 for working part time basis.

Lord Sevele’s response

In his letter to Hon. Pohiva on December 17, Lord Sevele denied the Prime Minister’s accusations.

“We disagree with your concern on the slow progress of the work,” Lord Sevele said.

“We are largely on target and indeed reasonably ahead of schedule as far as the Teufaiva Stadium Upgrade is concerned.

“Our target completion date here is 31 March 2017, more than two years before the Games.”

The Former General Secretary to Tonga’s National Sports body claimed the work they did at the committee may have been ahead of time if Hon. Pohiva’s government had done its bit to get the requisite funds.

In his letter, Lord Sevele reminded Hon. Pohiva about the advice Lord Tevita Tupou gave him at a meeting on December 3, 2015 that the Committee, its Chairman and staff had already done a lot of work.

“Your assertion that we have failed in our duty in not getting the funds for the construction of the buildings and other sporting amenities is not correct,” Lord Sevele said.

“The provisions of the Pacific Games Organization Act 2013 -Sections d) and e) give us the power- but – in cooperation with the Government Facilities Committee.”

Lord Sevele told Hon. Pohiva that issues surrounding the golf course was a matter for the government to handle.

He said Hon. Pohiva wanted to change that norm while he wanted confirmation from government if they wanted the change.

“If you want to change the existing arrangement, discuss it with your Ministers concerned and then put that in writing so that everyone is aware of your directive,” Lord Sevele wrote.

In regard to the money for the New Zealand government, Lord Sevele said: “At our meeting you asked pe ‘oku puli ki fe ‘a e silini koia. Neu tala atu ‘oku ‘ikai ha silini ia ‘e puli pe ‘ave ‘e ha taha – because it should be all in the Ministry of Finance to which it had been sent.”

“If you carefully read the letter from the NZ Deputy High Commissioner to which you refer in your letter to me, the relevant sentences are:

“Of New Zealand’s overall NZD$2 million commitment to the Teufaiva Stadium upgrade, NZD$1.898 million remains. This is the balance after a deduction of NZD$102,000 that we have provided in full to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for the Stadium Upgrade Design and Games Venue Master Plan.”

Excessively large salary  

Lord Sevele said he was approached by the Organising Committee around mid-April 2014, to see if he would accept the appointment to the post of CEO and Chairman of the Organizing Committee under the Pacific Games Organization Act 2013.

“The salary you consider excessive is what they thought would compensate me sufficiently to consider taking up the post, given the other avenues of earning income that I would have to give up,” Lord Sevele said in his letter.

He said it was an amount agreed in a committee meeting.

He said the Acting Solicitor General, an ex-officio Member, consulted with the Remuneration Authority on behalf of the Committee.

“Your claim that the initial contract of employment for the CEO of the Committee was for $60,000 per annum is another puzzle to me,” he said. Neither I nor any of our staff or Committee Members had seen or raised anything concerning such a contract as you raised.”

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister’Akilisi Pohiva is waiting for advice from government department heads after Lord Sevele ‘O Vailahi refused to resign as head of the kingdom’s Olympic committee.
  • The Prime Minister demanded Lord Sevele’s resignation and that of several committee members over alleged failings and delays in preparation for the Games.
  • Lord Sevele has denied Hon. Pohiva’s accusations, accusing the government of not acting fast enough to support the planning and wanting to change the way preparations were carried out.
  • Questions have also been raised about the way a NZ$2 million grant from the New Zealand government has been spent.

For more information

Tonga’s PM casts doubt on country’s ability to host 2019 Pacific Games (ABC)

Tonga up for challenge to host Pacific Games despite criticism (Fiji Times)

Two arrested at airport for Tongan passport forgery appeared in court

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two Chinese nationals who were arrested at Tonga’s international airport and were charged  over alleged possession and use of forged Tongan passports appeared in court today.

Magistrate Salesi Mafi released Gungchang Xiao and William Hu on bail to appear at the lower court on Monday, 18 January.

The court case came while Tonga Police were still hunting down two Chinese fugitives identified as 60-year-old Mrs Guo Hua also known as Kam Shanou and 61-year-old Mr Liu Xing Chun also known as Lou Singkei.

Police wanted the couple for allegedly involved in forging information on birth certificates in a bid to get Tongan passports but they vanished  while they were  bailed to appear at the Magistrate Court.

In December last year a 65-year-old woman from Ngele’ia  was arrested and charged with two counts of forgery and knowingly dealing with forged documents. She was set to appear in court on Monday.

Gun fired during Fasi armed robbery, Police search for two suspects

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police are looking for two men who fired a gun during an armed robbery at a Fasi convenience store.

The suspects managed to escape with about TP$200 last Saturday.

No one was injured and Police have pleaded for public help to find the suspects.

The two men, who disguised their faces, entered the shop at Salote Road.

One of them allegedly fired a shot at the security guard hitting a carton of milk he was holding before shooting to the roof warning the Chinese shopkeeper to give them the money.

FBI probes US-Tongan company involving alleged immigration scam, Tongan victims speak out

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan organisation in the United States is being investigated by FBI alleging that an adult adoption program it claims will allow adults to become U.S. citizens was a “scam”.

No arrest has been made although FBI has seized computers and documents from the company’s office in Sacramento, California.

The company claimed it has agents in the South Pacific including Tonga and Fiji.

Hilamani Hansen also known as Helamani and his wife Viola Hansen also known as Sela Hansen was the couple at the centre of the FBI investigation.

Bank accounts affiliated with Hansen, his wife and employees of his companies showed hundreds of deposits and hundreds of thousands of dollars deposited and withdrew by various names, it has been reported.

Sacramento County says it will not take any more adoptions sponsored by Hansen’s America Helping America program.

It said it has found some applications used false addresses.

Clients who used the company’s services were told they had a quick path to citizenship if they pay $5,000 to $10,000 a person.

“These people said they were told they could become citizens by being adopted by another adult all through the help of Dr. Helaman Hansen and his company Americans Helping America Chamber of Commerce (AHA)”.

A US immigration expert told KCR News it was a “scam”

Hansen told US media that neither he nor his companies have been charged nor convicted of anything.

Since the Hansen investigation was made public, Tongans who claimed they failed victims to the hands of their own people came forward and claimed they spent thousands of dollars through Hansen’s AHA programme after they were promised to get US citizenship but to no avail.

All Tongan victims who spoke to Kaniva News did not want to be identified because of their immigration status in the States.

One person said she spent about US$5,000 to get her adopted by a citizen couple and it was approved  but quitted after she could not afford to pay further costs the company demanded so they continued to work on her application to get her citizenship.

Some in the Tongan-Sacramento community said Tongans had been repeatedly warned to be careful about the services provided by the AHA saying they were wasting their money on it but most ignored the warning.

One of those people who stood up to help protect the community was Rev Malakai Lose.

“Rev Malakai Lose has warned our people many years ago but most of them said Rev Lose did not love them and did not want them to stay in  here in the United  States legally,” a Tongan community member in Sacramento said.

The organisation

Hansen is the founder and chairman of AHA, which is based in Sacramento. Immigration attorneys said the claim that adult adoption leads to citizenship is patently wrong, Washington Post reported.

The company claims to have people working all across the country including Nevada, Hawaii, Utah, Oregon, Washington, New York, Minnesota and California. They also claim to have representatives recruiting people for the adult adoption program in Tonga and in Fiji, it said.

“Adult adoption is legal and used for things like estate planning and adult care, but according to immigration attorneys as well as ICE, it has no bearing on immigration status.

“Federal agents served a search and seizure warrant on Dec. 22 for all of Hansen’s affiliated companies’ offices, as well as his home.

“Man, I was not even surprised. I was happy,” Hansen said. “I was happy because — thank you for coming — because we need to clear our building. We need to clear how we stand here.”

An FBI  75-page affidavit detailing the almost yearlong investigation states that the FBI is looking for evidence of possible mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud undocumented immigrants.

According to the affidavit, the FBI began its full investigation in February 2015 after a complaint by an employee.

“The document quotes alleged victims and former employees.

“It also details other investigations.

“The affidavit states that a Minnesota judge ruled that AHA had violated Minnesota law by giving legal advice and preparing legal documents without being licensed attorneys.

While talking to KCR  about the FBI investigation, Hansen staid, “Why hasn’t the FBI arrest us here? I am waiting for that day.” He added, “the FBI don’t even know what they’re doing because when I was sitting over there, they were trying to tell me this this this. I listen to it . . . nothing but all false.”

About Dr Hilamani Hansen

Hilamani Hansen described himself in the internet as married  and after leaving Liahona High School in Tonga in 1970 he  left for New Zealand in 1974. After graduating from Wellington Teacher’s  College he went to Australia in 1977 and lived in Queensland, Surfers Paradise and attended Griffith University, then moved to Brisbane Qld 1981.

He claimed he worked as a Hotel Manager for 7 years, then moved to Sydney 1989. In 1991 he worked as a project manager for the BP Oil CO while attending Western Sydney University for 5 years, then spent 4 years with the NSW State Goverment before he relocated to USA in 1999.

In the year 2000 he claimed he ran a construction company DBC management inc.  He also claimed he had been involved in various institutions online in Business and Marketing Management, like Donald Trump school, Cornell University.

He said he was still staying with his wife Sela Hansen also known as Viola Hansen with 3 children and 15 grandchildren.

He claimed he was heavily involved with the community as chairman and founder of the Pacific Islanders Community California, and they  have 3 television channels, a community channel, church channel, and youth channel on comcast, and online.

He also claimed he was a member of the NRCC National Congressional Committee, and co-chair for California small business minority, and member of the business advisory council USA.

He also wrote that “I am a changed man now”, laughing.

Wouldn’t be where I am today, had it not been for uncle Tonga, says Johnson

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Professional Wrestler Dwayne Douglas Johnson also known by his ring name The Rock has surprised his ‘uncle’ Tonga ‘Uli’uli Fifita, once a famous wrestler with a tricked-out Ford F-150 truck that retails for around US$58,000.

The Christmas gift was presented about two weeks ago.

It’s 20 years since a broke Johnson asked his Uncle Tonga to lend him his shorts for his first bout because he couldn’t afford any.

The 43-year-old actor thought itʻs now about time to pay him back.

He tweeted and said: “Wouldn’t be where I am today, had it not been for uncle Tonga”.

Johnson shared the story, which linked to  his wrestling career and lead to his success as a Hollywood star in films including the Fast & Furious franchise.

After he gave the gift to Tonga, Johnson went public and said : ‘Cool Christmas story to share with y’all… Known my ‘Uncle Tonga’ since I was 5yrs old.

‘My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia helped train him to become a professional wrestler in the 70’s.

‘Throughout Tonga’s illustrious wrestling career he changed his name to “King Haku” and became one of the WWE’s most sought after “bad guys” still known to this day for being one of the toughest and legit most vicious man in wrestling history.


‘Years later and I get a call from WWE saying “Vince McMahon wants to see you wrestle immediately. He’s flying you to RAW tomorrow and you’ll have a tryout match.”

‘I thought holy shit that’s awesome, buuuut there’s a few problems: For me, I wasn’t just having “a tryout match”, because I had never actually HAD a real match in my life. Ever.

‘WWE thought that I already had multiple matches under my belt, but little did they know. What they also didn’t know was that I was broke as hell and didn’t actually own wrestling gear – no boots, knee pads or most importantly.. wrestling trunks.

‘I went to Sports Authority and bought some bright ass white volleyball knee pads, called my Uncle and asked if he had ANY trunks I could use for my tryout.

‘He said all I have is a pair of shiny purple trunks (purple was his signature color), I told him I don’t care if the trunks are all the colors of Skittles, I’ll happily wear them.

‘When I picked the trunks up from him I’ll never forget the monster hug he gave me, look me in the eyes and said, “I’m so proud of you. Go get ’em nephew!”

‘Here’s the picture of me wrestling my FIRST MATCH EVER in Corpus Christi, TX in front of 15,000 people – proudly in my lucky purple trunks. And the rest… was history.

Is referred to as Uncle Tonga, in Dwayne Johnson‘s autobiography, ‘The Rock Says’. He helped Rock with his first professional WWF match, lending Dwayne a pair of his old electric purple wrestling tights (which were too big on Dwayne). Although not a blood relative of the Rock, Tonga has been a good family friend for all of Dwayne’s life, as Tonga was very close to the Rock’s late grandfather, Samoan wrestler, ‘High Chief’ Peter Maivia.

‘My Uncle Tonga is a family man, humble man and champion. Most importantly one of the greatest human beings I know.

‘So we walk outside and I said “Uncle how do you like my truck?” He said, “Whoooaaa nephew it’s beautiful… I love it!” I said “Good ’cause it’s yours.”

‘He was speechless. Thru tears (manly of course) we monster hugged ’cause I’ll never forget what he did for me when I had nothing. Merry Christmas Uncle and ofa atu. #LuckyPurpleTrunks.’

‘Ofa atu’ means ‘love you’ in Tongan.

Tongan mother’s suspicious death in Vanuatu rocks family, Tongan community

By
Kalino Latu
-

The suspicious and unexplained cause of death of a Tongan mother in Vanuatu has tormented her family and the Tongan community in that country.

Annie Joseph who was also known by the name ‘Ani Tangi Tonga, a mother of five in her early 30s, died on Thursday, January 7, in a local hospital after she allegedly collapsed in her home.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that she was rushed to hospital with injuries from what it described as “suspected domestic violence.”

No arrest has been made. Vanuatu authorities said they had been made aware of Joseph’s death, but had not received any official complaint.

Vanuatu Police said they had contacted the family to see if they wanted to lodge an official complaint over her death.

The country’s Women’s Crisis Awareness Centre said they were investigating Joseph’s death.

The deceased was half Tongan through her father Sosefa Tonga, from Vava’u, who left the kingdom and moved to Vanuatu years ago. He married and died there.

His Tongan family from Australia flew to Vanuatu to attend his daughter’s funeral.

Annie Joseph dies suspiciously. Photo/Facebbok
Annie Joseph dies suspiciously. Photo/Facebbok

Joseph’s five children included three sons from a previous marriage and two daughters with his husband.

‘Eleni Tevi, the Secretary for the Tongan community in Fiji who was in Vanuatu and attended Joseph’s funeral, told Kaniva News the family and the Tongan community in Vanuatu were not satisfied with the report of the autopsy.

Tevi, who sought permission from the victim’s family before she spoke to Kaniva News, said they had information Joseph had experienced domestic violence

“The Tongan community in Vanuatu condemns the evil act that took one of its daughters’ lives,  well ahead of her time and leaving five motherless children,” Mrs Tevi wrote on Facebook.

Tevi said the family and the Tongan community were suspicious about the cause of  Joseph’s death.

She alleged the autopsy report was based on what had happened to Joseph on the day she was rushed to hospital and declared dead.

She said the authorities should have dug deeper into the causes of her death.

Tevi said on the day of her death Joseph returned home and told a woman she had a headache and felt as if she was burning.

She said Joseph collapsed while taking a shower. She was rushed to hospital by ambulance, but died later at night.

“It is very difficult for us because no one stands up,” Tevi said.

She said Joseph’s uncle Penisimani Tonga flew from Sydney to attend the funeral and they would talk to him to see if they could file a complaint based on their suspicions.

Tevi said they considered talking to the country’s Women’s Crisis Centre about what they believed really happened to Joseph.

She said violence against women in Vanuatu was at high level, but was regarded lightly by authorities.

Mrs Merilyn Tahi from the Women’s Crisis Centre told the Daily Post they had also received unofficial reports of the death of Joseph and had sent a staff member to ask for more information  before they commented.

On Facebook Joseph’s son Tiobang Jean Robert posted a smiling photo of her with a caption reading “I love you mum”.

Tevi described Joseph as “a very happy spirit” and said there were many tributes to her on her son’s Facebook page.

Joseph, who worked as a receptionist at The Vila Central Hospital Dental Services Unit for over 15 years was buried on Saturday, January 9.

Attempts to contact Joseph’s husband were unsuccessful.

The main points

  • The suspicious and unexplained cause of death of a Tongan mother in Vanuatu has tormented her family and the Tongan community in that country.
  • Annie Joseph who was also known by the name ‘Ani Tangi, a mother of five in her early 30s, died on Thursday, January 7, in a local hospital after she allegedly collapsed in her home.
  • The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that she was rushed to hospital with injuries from what it described as “suspected domestic violence.”
  • No arrest has been made. Vanuatu authorities said they had been made aware of Joseph’s death, but had not received any official complaint.

Hon Lavulavu denies he told mechanical supervisor to fake TP$1 million valuation, threatens legal action

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Former Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu, has denied claims by the Ministry’s Senior Mechanical Supervisor, Maile Niulala,  that he ordered him to falsify a valuation of heavy machinery.

In a letter to the Tongan media, Niulala said Lavulavu demanded that he alter his original valuation of heavy machinery the government intended to purchase from TP$100,000 to TP$1 million.

The strife between Lavulavu and the MOI’s  mechanical supervisor is the latest in a series of hurdles faced by the former Minister of Infrastructure, including an impeachment attempt, the loss of his ministerial position and accusations of corruption.

Hon. Lavulavu claimed he had never talked to Niulala about a report to be submitted to him as Minister and never discussed anything about Tomifa Paea’s eight heavy pieces of machinery.

The former minister demanded Niulala retract his letter to the media and apologise within five days or face legal action.

In a letter to the Minister of Finance Hon. ‘Aisake Eke dated November 19, 2015 Niulala told the minister he was “instructed” by Hon Lavulavu to assess the financial value of the machinery.

He said when he found out only one of the machines was still working, he calculated their value as less than TP$100,000.

Niulala claimed he reported his finding to Hon. Lavulavu, but was then told by the Minister to do another assessment and increase the total value to TP$1 million pa’anga.

“I obeyed and did the valuation again and made a new submission to a value of TP$1,007,000,” Niulala said in his letter.

Niulala told Hon. Eke he was not satisfied with what had happened as he was later blamed by the Tongan media.

Hon Lavulavu’s response

Hon. Lavulavu denied that he told Niulala to revalue the machinery and increase their financial value from TP$100,000 to TP$1 million.

In a letter sent to Kaniva News this morning (Sunday, January 10) Hon. Lavulavu, who is now Minister of Tourism, demanded that Niulala immediately stop “defaming” him.

He said Niulala has publicly discredited his family and the Tongan government.

Hon. Lavulavu demanded Niulala correct what he had written to the Finance Minister within five days. If not, he would take legal action against him.

“I would like to inform you that what you have written to the Hon. Minister of Finance claiming I demanded you alter the financial valuation of the Vava’u Construction’s heavy machinery from TP$100,000 to TP$1 million is lying and misleading against  the Ministry of Infrastructure, Government of Tonga and the people of the nation,” Hon. Lavulavu wrote in Tongan.

In his letter Lavulavu claimed that on August 4, 2015 Niulala  wrote an Internal Memo to the Ministry’s CEO informing him he had assessed all eight heavy machines as having a total valuation was TP$1,007,000.

Hon. Lavulavu told Niulala that in the last paragraph of his memo to the CEO he recommended the machinery and said he had assessed them and they were all in good conditions.

Hon. Lavulavua said the Ministry approved Niulala’s recommendation on August 6, 2015 and was prepared to be processed through the procurement committee.

Hon. Lavulavu claimed that Niulala also wrote to the owner of Vava’u Construction and told him about his valuation of the machinery on August 10 and said he would submit his report to the CEO.

A year of strife

Hon. Lavulavu has been involved in a series of legal and political struggles in the past 12  months.

He escaped a Parliamentary impeachment last year after he was accused of wrongly using his power to approve works in Vava’u without going through the government’s procurement committee.

He continued for a time as Minister of Infrastructure and Minister for Tourism in Hon Pohiva’s government. However, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva stripped him of the Infrastructure portfolio and imposed a financial penalty on him.

Towards the end of 2015 the Vava’u 16 MP was taken to court by failed parliamentary candidate Dr Viliami Uasike Latu.

Dr Latu accused Lavulavu of corruption and illegal campaigning in Tonga’s 2014 General Election.

The Vava’u Supreme Court will deliver its judgement on the case next month.

The main points

  • Tonga’s former Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu, has denied claims by the Ministry’s Senior Mechanical Supervisor, Maile Niulala, that he ordered him to falsify a valuation of heavy machinery.
  • In a letter to the Tongan media, Niulala said Lavulavu demanded that he alter his original valuation of heavy machinery the government intended to purchase from TP$100,000 to TP$1 million.
  • The strife between Lavulavu and the MOI’s mechanical supervisor is the latest in a series of hurdles faced by the former Minister of Infrastructure, including an impeachment attempt, the loss of his ministerial position and accusations of corruption.
  • Lavulavu has demanded Niulala correct what he had written to the Finance Minister within five days. If not, he would take legal action against him.

Tongan family, friends devastated by sudden death of son in Reno

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A Tongan family in the United States were in complete shock yesterday, trying to come to terms with the death of their son.

Sitanilei Tuʻihalangingie was allegedly killed after he fell through a pond ice in Reno.

Reno Police have quoted an eye witness telling rescue crews Tuʻihalangingie was wearing heavy clothing and immediately sank underneath.

The 19-year-old was the son of Manase and Vika Tuʻihalangingie of Kolomotuʻa and Fātumu in Tonga but they now reside in Reno, United States.

His sister Lupe Ê»Ofahelotu TuÊ»ihalangingie has left an emotional tribute on Sitanilei’s Facebook account yesterday citing what she normally heard him saying when he arrived home.

“Bro please answer my text and tell me [you are]  home! Please I just want to hear your voice again and to tell me I love you sis! Bro please just walk through the door and say [I am] home and [you were] kidding! I love you so much that it hurts so bad!” Lupe wrote.

For the TuÊ»ihalangingie family, the sudden death of their son and brother is a “devastating shock,” said  family friends on Facebook.

“We can imagine the depth of devastation his parents have gone through because of the death of their son,” one friend said.

A commentator in response said Tu’ihalangingie was at the area with friends before he fell into the frozen ice.

“My son ran to help but he was almost got into trouble and luckily he managed to pull himself out to safety”.

He said they called police and they were advised to keep away from the pond to avoid any further fatality.

Below are more tributes for Tu’ihalangingie on Facebook:

Bro please answer my text and tell me your home! Please I just want to hear your voice again and to tell me I love you…

Posted by Lupe OfaheLotu Tu’ihalangingie on Saturday, January 9, 2016

My heart is feeling real heavy right now little bro… I really hope u write me back A.S.A.P or call me like you always do… this ain’t really happening 🙁

Posted by Misisiamini Finau on Saturday, January 9, 2016

I miss n love you Sitanilei Tu’ihalangingie Ofa Lahi Atu I still can’t believe this 󾌹󾌹󾌹

Posted by Donna Josephine Tu’ihalangingie on Saturday, January 9, 2016

Damn homie RIP. Got me in tears right now, you were a real one. Gone but never forgotten.

Posted by AntonioYesenia Cortez on Friday, January 8, 2016

Marist beat Spartan to win Lavengamālie Cup

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Marist rugby team have been crowned new champion of the Lavengamalie Cup tournament  today after it crushed the Spartan in the final with scores 53 – 19.

Marist were awarded the cup and Division One top prize money of $35,000 paʻanga while Spartan took home  TP$20,000 in prize money from the tournament.

 

Tongan teen dies after falling through ice pond in Reno

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police were contacted at 3am on Friday 8 with reports of a man falling into pond Teglia’s Paradise Park in Reno in the United States.

The victim was 19-year-old Sitanilei Tu’ihalangingie from Kolomotu’a and Fātumu in Tonga but was residing in Reno, a family member who did not want to be identified told Kaniva News.

According to Police Tuʻihalangingie  was pulled from the ice and taken by ambulance to hospital where he later died.

Reno police and firefighters said the man was there with members of his family before he fell through the pond.

Rescue crews said Tuʻihalangingie was in the water for about half an hour before being pulled out, though his family had tried to rescue him.

The incident is still under investigation.

The tributes for Tuʻihalangingie have been pouring in today on what has been a dreadfully sad day for his family and friends.

why you gotta leave so early bro!!! 🙁 maahn love youu long time brother!!<3 Rest in God’s Love !!

Posted by Lesieli Likiliki on Friday, January 8, 2016

Please. Please. I can’t stop crying. Come back. Urgggghhh!!! Forever will you be my puppet. My homie!!! ?❤️????? this…

Posted by Ingrid Martinez on Friday, January 8, 2016

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