Police Commissioner Shane McLennan has expressed disappointment after he discovered the identity of a senior police officer he had suspended had been shared online.
A Tongan Police officer. Photo/Kaniva Tonga
Mr McLennan reminded the online community the importance to prevent undue prejudice to a person before the prosecuting authority decides to prosecute.
He has asked online users to remove the officer’s name and details.
He said a senior police officer had been suspended in the past week for some alleged workplace behaviours, and there is a current internal investigation being conducted by our Professional Standards Unit into that officer’s behaviour and into the circumstances where these behaviours have occurred.
Depending on the outcome of this investigation, internal disciplinary charges and/or criminal charges may eventuate, he said.
It is therefore incumbent on all parties, particularly those posting on social media, to allow any investigation and subsequent matters to take course in a manner which does not jeopardise future legal proceedings.
“I was disappointed to learn that the suspended officer has been identified and ridiculed via social media posting.
“I ask those posting and sharing such material to reconsider their actions and it would be most appropriate to remove the officer’s name and identifying details. Everyone is entitled to a course of natural justice.
“I can advise that the welfare of members affected by the alleged behaviour is also being attended to.
No workplace is perfect, and Tonga Police strives to make our workplaces safe for all our staff.
“Accordingly, I recently circulated an ALL-STAFF email to raise this matter so that we can all collectively take responsibility and address any unwanted or bad behaviour in the workplace.
I want to thank my staff within Tonga Police for the work they do every day and night to keep our communities safe”.
A man has died after falling down a cliff in the island of Tofua, Ha’apai.
Nuku’alofa Central Police Station. Photo/Kalino Lātū
The 44-year-old man from Fatai, Tongatapu tragically fell off the cliff before he died, the Police said.
The depth measurement of the cliff had not been revealed.
The deceased has been an occupant for over a decade at Tofua island for planting kava crops.
On the day of the tragedy, a witness said that the deceased heard someone calling from below the cliff that he went to check.
Unfortunately, he accidentally fell off.
A call for assistance to the Town Officer of Kotu was made around dawn of Saturday, 27 January through a VHF radio transmitter, which was received by the Town Officer of Matuku, who relayed the message via mobile phone to the Town Officer of Kotu.
Three men were then sent to Tofua island to assist.
At around 1.00 pm, Saturday, 27 January, the three men returned to Kotu with the deceased’s body, which was then further transported to Ha’afeva to be examined by a medical doctor.
Due to the state that the deceased’s body was in and the bad weather conditions, the doctor and the Ha’afeva District Officer decided that it was best to bury the deceased immediately.
Police investigations into the matter continue in order to produce reports for his formal inquest.
Tonga Police would like to send their condolences to the family.
Contact Police on phone 740-1630/740-1632 or 922 to report crime.
Fiji’s public prosecutor has sanctioned charges against 13 people in connection to the Nadi drug raids on 14 and 20 January.
Approximately 1.1 ton of white substances in crystal and powder was seized in Maqalevu, Nadi on 20 January 2024 Photo: Fiji Police Force
The 13 accused persons are charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a statement on Monday.
“Of the 13 accused persons, two are also charged with unlawful importation of illicit drugs. It is alleged that the accused persons without lawful authority, facilitated the importation and were found in possession of 4.8 tonnes of methamphetamines, an illicit drug.”
The ODPP said three out of the 13 accused persons have also been charged with possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
“It is alleged that the three accused persons were found in possession of cash (local and overseas currency) suspected of being proceeds of crime,” the statement said.
The 13 people will be produced at the Nadi Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon, local time.
‘Destined for foreign market’
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Mesake Waqa confirmed that Fiji was being used as a transit for the drugs.
“Through joint efforts with our international law enforcement partners the Australian Federal Police and the Pacific Transnational Crime and Coordination Centre, it has been confirmed that Fiji was being used as a transit point and that the methamphetamine was destined for a foreign market,” he said.
“It is expected some of the spillover was for the local market.”
Waqa said the drugs arrived in Fiji in late December.
He said the exchange of the shipment of methamphetamine is believed to be made outside of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and the packages were delivered via a barge.
The investigation revealed that the accused persons in taking delivery of the illicit substances stored it at a private warehouse, Waqa said.
“It is alleged that more than three tonnes were transported to Legalega and later more than one tonne to Maqalevu. Those involved in the delivery and subsequent packing of the drugs have also been charged.”
Waqa said the investigations “are by no means over” and Fiji police will be working with foreign counterparts and expecting to make more arrests.
The investigators are working with the ODPP looking into the proceeds of crime.
“Investigations will also be pursuing information of the involvement of other locals as we cannot rule out the involvement of other persons of interest. Investigations have also uncovered the involvement of a foreign national tied to a known syndicate, whom we are pursuing with the help of our international partners.”
“The Fiji Police Force acknowledges with sincere gratitude the sharing of information resulting in the quick arrest of three of the main accused persons in the Northern Division as they were allegedly trying to flee the country.
He also acknowledged people who came forward to provide information of suspected illegal activities, resulting in other arrests.
“At this juncture of the investigation and with the case to be presented before the courts today, the Fiji Police Force will not be making further comments on the ongoing investigation until major developments are made.
He said Fiji Police is committed to ensuring those involved in the illicit drug trade are brought to justice.
“Through the support of our foreign partners, we are confident of disrupting drug syndicates and reiterate that no one is above the law.”
New Zealand’s incoming High Commissioner to Sāmoa, Si’alei Van Toor, is the first person of Sāmoan heritage appointed to the role.
New Zealand’s incoming High Commissioner to Sāmoa, Si’alei Van Toor, is the first person of Sāmoan heritage appointed to the role. She is also being accredited as New Zealand’s Consul-General to American Sāmoa. Photo: Supplied
She is also being accredited as New Zealand’s Consul-General to American Sāmoa.
High Commissioner Van Toor, a mother of two, has previously been New Zealand’s representative to Taiwan and ambassador to Russia.
The diplomat starts her posting next month and said Sāmoa will provide many opportunities, including exploring her cultural heritage.
“New Zealand and Sāmoa share a deep and multifaceted relationship, based on extensive people-to-people, sports, business and cultural links, and close historical ties,” she said.
“The framework for the relationship is strong, based on the Treaty of Friendship of 1962 and the 2019 Statement of Partnership. I look forward to leading the New Zealand High Commission to maintain and develop the relationship further still.”
Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Van Toor’s maternal grandparents arrived separately in New Zealand during the 1940s, where they would eventually meet and marry.
“On a more personal note, being able to live and learn more and discover my culture, and have that time to really delve into it and understand it with some depth… it’s an incredible opportunity,” Van Toor said.
“I lived in Samoa in 1999 as a master’s student for around six months, and it gave me a taste, of what it was like to live there, and I just loved it.”
Van Toor’s mother, Lorraine Havill, said watching daughter Si’alei achieve international success over the years has been exciting, adding her late husband Ken Havill (former Western Springs College principal) was immensely proud of having a diplomat in the family.
Samoa is preparing to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October.
By Iliesa Tora, of RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, says he will be a servant of the region as he takes up his new posting in Manila.
He becomes the first Pacific islander to hold the position.
Addressing the WHO Executive Board Dr Piukala, who was Tonga’s Health Minister until he resigned two weeks ago, he said his appointment “is a moment of pride for Pacific people”.
“The enormity of this task is not lost on me, and I am deeply moved and honoured by the trust that Member States and Executive Board members have bestowed upon me,” he said.
Responding to RNZ Pacific on his appoinment, Dr Piukala said he is proud to be representing the Pacific at the WHO and the region.
“This is for Tonga and the Pacific. Maybe the time was right. God’s timing is always the right time,” he said.
Dr Piukala, left, Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Iliesa Tora
Dr Piukala said he was grateful for the opportunity he was given to serve the people of Tonga and now looks forward to serving the Western Pacific region in his new role.
He said the fact that he now stands amongst public health giants at the WHO after growing up as a barefoot boy running around the beaches of Vava’u Island is proof that no one is really left behind.
“And despite our different stories, we all have something to contribute,” he said.
He said he was looing forward working closely with WHO member states, the Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, regional directors and country offices.
“Let us work for a world where no barefoot child, looking out at a rising sea, needs to worry about what the future holds for his or her health and the health of their family,” he said.
Dr Ghebreyesus said his is looking forward to working with Dr Piukala to promote and protect the health of people across the region.
Regional visits and focus to kick start new role
Dr Piukala will be visiting some of the 37 countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region to kick start his role.
The visits will include meeting with governments and other stakeholders to discuss critical issues that impact health and explore areas for increased collaboration.
The WHO said under Dr Piukala’s leadership, it aims to strengthen health care in the Western Pacific by integrating efforts to achieve transformational primary health care and universal health coverage.
Focus will on addressing leading causes of disease and mortality in the region, including noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
NCDs, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory illnesses, together account for nearly nine out of 10 deaths in the Region.
Dr Piukala will lead the regional team’s focus on healthy ageing and actions to address mental health and oral health, as well as maternal and child health, immunisation and communicable disease prevention and control, while also leveraging health technology to address inequities, including potential entry points for private sector engagement.
WHO said accelerating action on climate change, the environment and health is another major focus for Dr Piukala. His administration will review current initiatives and identify new opportunities to support country efforts.
“A cross-cutting, integrated strategy will be developed, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders intensified to enable new technical and diplomatic mechanisms for accelerating action on climate change and health,” WHO said.
“He will ensure strong support to countries and areas of the Western Pacific for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
This includes engagement in global processes underway to develop and ratify a new international “Pandemic Accord”, and make needed changes to the International Health Regulations.”
Lulutai airlines’ Twin Otter was grounded by damage to a computer sensor, Kaniva News can reveal.
ADAHRS was purchased from Honeywell International Inc in Olathe, Kansas, USA
The data sensor was part of the aircraft’s Air Data Attitude Heading And Reference System (ADAHRS).
The recently acquired Twin Otter was grounded recently without the airline specifying the issue.
The new part arrived in Tonga on Friday night a day after the passenger luggage in which it was packed was withheld in Brisbane airport for re-assessment.
The Twin Otter was fixed on Saturday and returned to services the same day.
As Kaniva News reported recently, when Lulutai buys parts for its aircraft overseas it asks passengers at airports if anybody is available to carry them to Tonga.
The report caused outrage, but Lulutai chief executive Poasi Tei defended the practice.
“With the work we do, even when importing parts for an aircraft we look for the quickest way because of nation’s needs for flight services,” Tei said.
Asked why Lulutai did not pay to send the item as air cargo, he said the airline asked passengers at the airport to carry parts because this was quicker than using the air cargo services.
We asked Tei whether Lulutai airline could not afford to use air cargo costs and whether it was facing financial difficulties. However, he dismissed this, saying it had nothing to do with the costs.
A source has told Kaniva News that the passengers who carried the part were concerned they might be held liable if anything went wrong while the new part was in their possession, so they took pictures of the parcel.
Questions were also raised about whether the Twin Otter was bought with a warranty which obliged the manufacturer to pay for any defects or damage as well as labour services for maintenance. We have asked the Lulutai chief executive to comment on this.
Documents seen by Kaniva News appeared to show the ADAHRS was purchased from Honeywell International Inc in Olathe, Kansas, USA.
Honeywell makes aerospace and automotive products as well as engineered materials.
The processor is sometimes referred to as MARG (Magnetic, Angular Rate and Gravity). AHRS are designed to replace traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments.
Failure of the AHRS may cause loss of the stabilised magnetic heading information.
It is unclear whether the part on the Lulutai aircraft that failed was sent to the Honeywell for repair or whether a replacement part was purchased.
Kaniva News has been unable to confirm the cost of the part and the costs related to its installation.
Practise criticised
The revelation about Lulutai aircraft parts passenger carry-on practice had triggered criticism on social media. Critics described the Lulutai practice as “precarious.”
We were reliably told that the passengers who were asked to carry the new part to Tonga were worried about what was inside the parcel so they asked the women who brought it to them to open it so they could check for themselves.
People who are familiar with aircraft cargo told Kaniva News it was unsafe for people not familiar with aircraft parts to touch or open it on their own without knowing how delicate and fragile the part was.
They said delivery of aircraft parts was of paramount importance to international airlines and there were several options available for customers like Lulutai to choose from to make sure their parts reached their destination as soon as possible.
This including using the rush Aircraft On Ground(AOG) logistics label. This was meant for the rapid transportation and delivery of essential parts or services to grounded aircraft due to technical reasons.
Another source said Honeywell should have an international airline delivery service which allowed it to deliver the part directly to the airline without Lulutai having to find a passenger.
As Kaniva News reported previously, the Prime Minister, who is the chairman of the Lulutai board of directors, asked during a live press conference last month whether a passenger coming from China to Tonga could carry a new part for the Harbin Y-12 aircraft.
As we reported last week, the passengers who carried the Lulutai part, a father and daughter, arrived in Tonga and discovered that the piece in which the part was packed was allegedly missing. Kaniva News contacted the daughter and asked about the missing piece. She did not deny it, but declined to comment and hung up the video call messenger.
Our source claimed the passengers had been advised to submit a missing report of the piece so that Fiji Airways could trace the luggage.
As we reported previously, Lulutai chief executive Poasi Tei denied the part was lost and gave us a different explanation for what had happened.
He said the part was given to the passengers to bring with them to Tonga on the night in question, but they did not come with it.
He later told his Facebook followers in an apparent response to Kaniva News’ article that the part was removed in Brisbane to be “re-screened,” causing it to miss the flight.
Tonga’s Supreme Court has declined to strike out claims the government brought in relation to a Ministry of Transport staffer who was at the centre of a fake vehicle re-registration scam case.
The second to sixth defendants
Sosefo Ponitini, a warranty officer working at the government’s Ministry of Transport had been accused of falsely re-registering rental vehicles in the names of five vehicle hirers, namely the second defendant – Makeleta ‘Otani Kula, the third defendant – Maile Lesisita, the fourth defendant – Mele Siale, the fifth defendant – Falesiu Lama and the sixth defendant – Loisi Paea ‘i Vahanoa Kalaivi.
The scheme was faked to falsely show the five defendants were the owners of those vehicles and to enable them to use the vehicles as securities to secure various loans amounting to a total of $130,500 from ATL Finance exclusive of the $26,100.00 interest those loans were due to incur.
Ponitoni has been linked to the case as an agent of the first defendant, the government of Tonga.
Defaults on the loans led ATL owner Halahuni Langi to take enforcement action and discovered the motor vehicles were not in possession of the defendants.
Langi alleged the government operated the fraudulent scheme.
The government argued that the legal action should have not been brought to court in the first place because the five-year period allowed by the law to deal with such a case had passed.
It also argued that the government “is not vicariously liable” since Ponitoni was acting on his own and he acted outside the scope of his employment.
Justice Cooper did not buy it.
Ponitini allegedly collaborated with the other defendants to this end, the court document said.
It is effectively alleged he was an agent of the first defendant and in acting in the scope of his agency provided the false Certificates of Registration of motor vehicles the co-defendants relied on, it also said.
The application on behalf of the First Defendant to Strike Out the action the Plaintiff brought against him pursuant to Order 8, Rule 8 Supreme Court Rules (the Application), was filed 27 March 2023.
In his decision, Mr Cooper said:
“I am unpersuaded I have the requisite material to form a clear view in the event of a finding of joint liability between the Defendants and the effect on the time limit for the purposes of section 16 Supreme Court Act.
“Prima facie there is an arguable case that Mr. Pontini was the agent of the first Defendant at the relevant time and so liability may fall upon him as principal.
“Therefore, I decline to strike out the claim as against the First Defendant.
“The First Defendant to pay the Plaintiffs costs of and incidental to the hearing, such costs to be taxed if not otherwise agreed within 14 days”.
A pregnant mother-of-one has been sent to prison for embezzlement of her employer’s fund.
Tupou Seluini Tahilanu
Tupou Seluini Tahilanu, 28, was working at Tonga Power Ltd’s office in Tofoa from February to April 2022 when she stole $47,521.68.
She pleaded guilty on 15 September 2023 to the single count of embezzlement.
Her jobs included collecting payments from Tonga Power’s customers and depositing them into the company’s bank accounts.
She dishonestly took some of the money from two payments made by two supermarkets in 2022.
Tahilanu had paid back $32,000 while the company’s insurer paid them $45,021.68.
The court was told she deeply regretted what happened and was remorseful.
She was married with a two-year-old son and was expecting their second child. A probation report recommended fully suspending her sentence.
However, Justice Cooper said imprisonment was unavoidable and he sentenced her to 18-months’ imprisonment with the final six-months suspended for two-years on conditions.
He ordered that Tahilanu must not carry out any form of hard labour due to her pregnancy.
“Within 48 hours of her admission to prison she is to be taken to Vaini Hospital to be assessed by in the ante natal clinic.
In addition, the Governor of HM Prison at Hu’atolitoli, within seven-days thereafter, is to be provided with a medical assessment as to how she is to be best cared for and a full series of follow up appointments arranged.”
Heavy rain has worsened the misery of displaced families displaced by the ‘Atatā tsunami.
The Tongan weather service has issued warnings for heavy rain, flash flooding, strong winds on land and sea and operating small craft.
Kaniva News has been reliably told that tents have been flooded.
Residents living in tents had to be evacuated and find shelter with neighbours or move in with relatives from other villages.
Photos shared with Kaniva News show tents had been flooded.
We have contacted the Ministry of Infrastructure for comment and are waiting for a response.
Atatā was devastated by the tsunami that followed the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption on January 8, 2022. According to some reports, the island was submerged by the tsunami.
The United Nations said that more than 70 buildings were damaged and the whole island was covered by ash from the erupting volcano.
The islanders were eventually relocated to a site near Nuku’alofa that has become known as ‘Atatā Jnr.
Now, two years after the disaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has released a report on refugees from the ‘Atatā. Former residents said they were told by government representatives it was unsafe to live on the Island.
According to the ABC, nobody has rebuilt on Atata and it remains abandoned except for former residents visiting for fishing or brief stopovers, it remains abandoned.
Some refugees from the island were allocated newly built homes, but others are still living in tents.
In the ABC report, people living in tents say they feel abandoned and that they either suffer from very hot temperatures in the tents or from rain which soaks the floors.
Now they have suffered flooding from days of heavy rain.
They say they have not been told anything about accommodation or whether they will be built homes.
Overseas donations were meant to build 268 new homes, but so far only 120 have been built.
Minister for Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumoʻua told the ABC a combination of a skills shortage and land issues had contributed to the delays.
“We’ve had some challenges along the way,” he says. “But we’re expecting works to be completed by June.”
Tonga island groups have been shaken by a strong earthquake this morning at 11.14am.
There is no tsunami warning.
The 6.4 magnitude quake hit at a depth of 216km about 125.9km north west of Fangale’ounga, Ha’apai, 126.4km west south west of Neiafu, Vava’u and 244.6km north of Nuku’alofa.
Vava’u and Tongatapu residents reported feeling shakes in the areas nearby, Neiafu and Nuku’alofa.
The morning quake comes after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, felt in Nuku’alofa at 5.49 pm yesterday, 18 January 2024.
“Based on preliminary earthquake information, tide gauge readings and advice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC), a small tsunami wave is not likely to pose a threat to Tonga. However, unusual sea currents will be experienced along the coasts,” Tonga Met stated in an advisory issued at 6:05pm”.
