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Minister accuses media of threatening him over questions arising from road contract scandal

By
Kalino Latu
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Efforts to re-build Tonga’s roads are again the centre of scandal with the Minister for Infrastructure reacting furiously to questions from a local news service about the awarding of new contracts for the project.

Minister of Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua. Photo/Fale Alea ‘o Tonga

Rather than denying the allegations through Parliamentary or government channels, Infrastructure Minister Sevenitini Toumo’ua took to Facebook to attack the news service.

Editor of VPON Media and Broadcasting Sylvester Tonga wrote to Hon Sevenitini Toumo’ua this week asking whether he was guilty of nepotism for awarding new roading contracts to Luna’eva and two other companies for prices far above the previous contracts.

The contracts had been awarded by the previous government of Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa to City Engineering and Construction Ltd, Island Dredging Ltd and Inter-Pacific Ltd to supply the rocks at a cost of TP$70 per truck equal to 3.8 cubic metres. Tonga said the new contractors were charging TP$300 for a truck load of rocks, again, equal to 3.8 cubic metres.

He said the Minister was open to accusations of misusing his powers by agreeing to the deal with the companies without going through the government’s procurement committee. He alleged that hundreds of thousands of pa’anga had been paid based on the higher price.

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It had been widely reported in the Tongan media that the court had ruled that the three original contractors had recently won a court case against the Hu’akavameiliku government for revoking their contracts.

However, it appears that despite the recent court decision, the Minister of Infrastructure apparently stood by his decision to award new contracts.

Tonga claimed the government might have to pay millions of pa’anga in compensation to the previous contractors.

“Why didn’t you return the supply of coral fill to the previous three companies?” he asked in his letter to the Minister.

“Why did you give the contracts to companies which cost the government an amount about four times bigger than the previous three companies?

“Are there grounds for you to resign?”

In his response to the questions from the VPON Media and Broadcasting editor, Hon. Toumo’ua said: “This news organisation is trying to steal justice from the country. And it looks like it is trying to threaten me. Don’t worry the truth cannot be hidden.”

Road scandal

As Kaniva News has previously reported, former Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa’s multi-million pa’anga road project was mired in controversy from the start.

The Prime Minister was accused of practising nepotisms and breaching the Cabinet Manual’s conflict of interest rules. Hon. Tu’i’onetoa was accused of offering the contracts to companies which appeared to have been set up by friends and relatives of his Cabinet Ministers just to benefit from contracts.

Critics said none of them had provided roading services before.

Other companies, including Luna’eva and Five Star, had operated for years serving the country with roading project but the Tu’i’onetoa’s disregarded them, saying their costs were too expensive.

Much of the work was heavily criticised. Roads in Tongatapu and  Vava’u which were repaired, renewed and constructed under the project were badly damaged. Critics said the damage was the result of unprofessional work, lack of upkeep and lack of serious purpose.

Last year Hon. Hu’akavameiliku was asked in Parliament to explain the repayment of the $18 million loan to fund what appeared to be a failed government roading project.

Lessons

Back in 2020 we had this to say about Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa’s handling of the road contracts scandal: “Government is all about perception. That is a vital lesson that this government  needs to learn. All of the guidance to MPs and public servants around the world that we have seen says that governments must be seen to be above reproach.”

It was a lesson that Hon. Tu’i’onetoa never seemed to learn, whether in his handling of the road scandal, the Lavulavus or his grand tour to promote fasting.

Now it appears that it is a lesson that Hon. Toumo’ua will have to learn for himself.

Stuart Nash has resigned as police minister, PM Hipkins says

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz

Stuart Nash has resigned as police minister, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says.

Parliament is urgently debating the matter, with opposition parties are urging the removal of Nash’s other roles.

It comes after the opposition demanded Nash resign after criticising a judge’s decision and revealing he phoned the police commissioner to discuss whether it would be appealed.

Nash was not police minister at the time of the conversation, but the government is expected to remain independent from judicial and police prosecutorial decisions.

Heading into the debating chamber on Wednesday, Hipkins said Nash’s comments and actions were inappropriate and he’d accepted his resignation as soon as it was offered in a “relatively brief” conversation.

Chris Hipkins announces Stuart Nash's resignation as Police Minister

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces to media Stuart Nash is stepping down from his role as police minister. Photo: RNZ / Katie Scotcher

“It is my view that Stuart Nash’s action in contacting the commissioner in relation to a possible appeal was unwise. It is also my view that his comments both at the time on the judiciary and subsequently in defending his actions, are inappropriate and represent an error of judgement.

“The Cabinet Manual sets out an expectation that ministers exercise a professional approach and good judgement in their interactions with the public and officials and in all their communications personal and professional. Stuart Nash’s comments on this occasion did not meet these standards.

“The manual also sets out that ministers should not comment on or involve themselves in the results of particular cases. Again the minister Nash’s actions do not meet this expectation.

“Stuart Nash has reflected on his actions and has tendered his resignation in the police portfolio. As such I have accepted that resignation effective immediately and I have advised the governor-general to accept it which she has done.”

Hipkins said he would have removed Nash from the role had his resignation not been offered. However, he would remain in his other roles as Forestry, Oceans and Fisheries, and Economic Development Minister.

“He’s demonstrated an error of judgement here, a serious error of judgement – and he’s certainly paid a consequence for that in the fact that he’s no longer minister of police.”

He said Nash had cleared up some further details about the circumstances.

“The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the minister of police. Minister Nash has assured me that he has no connection to the case in question, or any of the individuals involved.

“He’s also assured me that this is the only occasion that a conversation of this nature has occurred with the police commissioner.”

Police speak to media after seizing 3.2 tonnes of cocaine

Andrew Coster Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

He said the Police Commissioner had been contacted about the matter through the Cabinet Office.

“The feedback … I did not get involved in these conversations, I think better that they’re handled at an apolitical level – was that Minister Nash’s representations had no bearing on the commissioner’s decisions or the police’s decisions in this case.”

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said this evening he did not act on Nash’s phone call over the appeal.

In a statement, Coster said he regarded Nash’s comments as a venting of frustration and nothing more.

He said the police’s independence was the single most important privilege it had, and it was guarded fiercely.

“This is a point I emphasise very clearly with ministers,” Coster said, adding that he did not take any action following the phone call.

National, ACT urge Nash’s removal from Cabinet

Acting National Party leader Nicola Willis said Nash had made a serious error of judgement, and he should no longer be a Cabinet minister at all.

“I think the error of judgement was just so grave that this is an issue where he should resign from the Cabinet entirely.”

He had done the right thing in stepping down, she said.

“That was the right thing to do, the question we now have to ask is why he appointed to the role in the first place and how these errors of judgement occurred.

“He has not only made a serious error, he has doubled down, he has shown contempt for one of the basic tenets of our democracy which is that ministers don’t tell the police what to do.

“The fact that he as both a former and current police minister has missed that shows a serious error of judgement, he is not fit to be the minister.

“Very clearly has breached the Cabinet Manual and has also breached the principle in the Police Act the commissioner of police acts independently of ministers of the Crown.”

Nash had initially defended his actions this morning, saying he was not interfering. Willis disagreed.

“Clearly he was, the fact that he’s resigned is an admission of that.”

ACT leader David Seymour agreed Nash was not fit to be a minister at all.

“I think the fact he doesn’t get it is actually worse than the fact he did it. We all make mistakes, he could’ve apologised, maybe that would be acceptable.

“I mean it’s the total lack of understanding … interfering with police is one of the most serious things that a politician can do, that’s why the Cabinet Manual and the Police Act say don’t do it.

He said Hipkins should be less concerned about people “paying a price like a naughty schoolkid, but instead ensuring all ministers are competent and have high integrity”.

“Nash has shown he fits neither description … he interfered, he boasted about it, and then he doubled down on it. That’s three strikes and Stuart Nash should be out.

“Stripping him of just his Police portfolio doesn’t do justice to what a serious breach this is.”

National’s Police Spokesperson Mark Mitchell also said it was Nash’s lack of contrition that led to his removal.

“Until he doubled down on it, I thought that if he came out, if he apologised, if he acknowledged and said ‘hey I got that completely wrong’ then there might’ve been a chance,” he said.

He said it didn’t matter that Nash did not hold the police portfolio at the time of the conversation.

“He’s still a member of the executive, he’s still a Cabinet minister – so in my mind no it doesn’t.”

Hipkins suggested Nash’s removal as police was punishment enough, however.

“In this particular case I think the independence of the police in making prosecutorial decisions is one that we have to safeguard very clearly and also the independence of the courts.

“Those in my view mean that he should not continue as minister of police – I believe that that is a proportionate response to the error of judgement that Stuart has shown.”

Police portfolio handed to Woods

Hipkins announcement confirmed Megan Woods would take over the portfolio in an acting capacity, until he appointed someone permanently.

Woods said she had made no big changes as yet.

“I’ve had the job for an hour. I haven’t put in place any great plans or strategies, but look, I’m doing the job today, the prime minister’s asked me to pick that up, more than happy to do what he’s asked me to do.”

Asked if she would want to retain the portfolio until the election, she said that was “absolutely the realm of the prime minister”.

It was put to her whether she’d ever phoned the police commissioner to ask about a specific case, she said: “not in the last hour”.

Attorney-General’s reprimand

Attorney-General David Parker said he had a conversation with Nash about his statements this morning.

“I thought he was wrong and I have told him that,” he said. “He accepted that … I saw him in person.”

He did not think Nash’s actions had threatened judicial independence in any meaningful way “because he’s suffered the consequences of media scrutiny and my comments”.

“It’s important the attorney-general sticks up for the judiciary, they’ve got a difficult job to do, they do it independently of the government. The separation of powers is enshrined in the Cabinet Manual.”

The Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday afternoon said Nash would be making no further comments today.

Halafihi sent to jail after downloading child porn while at work in Canada

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan man in Abbotsford, Canada who watched child pornography while high on crystal meth then accessed similar material while working as a caregiver to a disabled woman in North Vancouver has been sent to jail for a year.

Maka-I-Moana Eugene Mumui Halafihi, 30, was sentenced Feb. 22 in North Vancouver provincial court after pleading guilty to two charges of possessing child pornography.

In handing down his sentence, Judge Joseph Galati outlined how on April 20, 2020, Halafihi arranged to meet another man he’d met online for the purpose of using crystal methamphetamine and watching pornography together while taking part in sexual activities.

During their encounter, Halafihi accessed 20 to 30 digital file folders on his computer, each containing a number of short videos. The videos all involved adult men having sex with children who appeared to be seven years old or younger, according to an agreed statement of facts.

When he saw the videos, the other man became uncomfortable and asked Halafihi to leave. He subsequently called the police, who went to Halafihi’s home on May 28, 2020, and seized his computer.

Police found more than 100 videos on the computer that met the definition of child pornography, according to an agreed statement of facts.

Most of the children shown were boys and some appeared as young as three years old, according to the judge, who added, “there were multiple videos of boys who appeared to be under the age of eight years old performing sexual acts.”

While still under investigation for that incident, on Sept. 6, 2020, while at work in North Vancouver as a caregiver to a disabled woman, Halafihi downloaded video files containing child pornography to his cell phone. The transmission was reported to authorities and another investigation followed. Halafihi was arrested on Dec. 3, 2020, and his cell phone was seized.

An examination of the phone showed two longer videos and a number of still images depicting children between six and 13 years old involved in sexual acts.

Halafihi’s defence lawyer described how he struggled with various challenges growing up after being sexually touched by an older male relative when he was seven and starting to watch pornography when he was 12.

Halafihi started using crystal meth in 2017, at first just on weekends. But from 2019 to 2021, he was using the drug daily, according to information presented in court.

Halafihi doesn’t have a prior criminal record, but acknowledged being warned by police in 2015 not to communicate online with teens under the age of consent, the judge noted.

Halafihi told the judge he doesn’t access child porn except while high on crystal meth.

Halafihi’s defence lawyer David Karp asked for an 18-month conditional sentence order, while Crown prosecutor Lara Sarbit requested one year in jail.

In handing down the jail term, the judge pointed to the young age of the children depicted as an aggravating factor in the case. The judge noted Halafihi also downloaded the second batch of child pornography when he knew he was under investigation for the first incident.

The judge also placed Halafihi on three years’ probation, during which he must stay away from parks, schools and recreation centres where children 16 and under are likely to be present, and not have any contact with children under 16 unless approved by a probation officer. Halafihi is also banned from using drugs, except with a prescription, and from accessing pornography. He will also be placed on the sexual offender registry for 20 years.

Tongatapu girl’s chased by man claim a fake, say police

By
Kaniva Staff
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The alleged chase of a Ngele’ia girl by a man has proven to be false, with police ceasing their investigation into the 13-year-old’s claim.

Police were told a man had chased the student while she was on her way to the Ngele’ia Primary school on Tuesday morning February 28.

Police Commissioner Shane McLennan

“After conducting house-to-house inquiries and follow-up interviews with the young girl, her family and school authorities, it was revealed that the complaint was false”, Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said.

Mr McLennan said the young girl was deeply remorseful for what she had put everyone through.

“That morning, among other personal and family issues, she was particularly anxious about being late to school and it did not help that she had to walk, rather than being dropped off.

“Nevertheless, Police will continue to work together with her family and the relevant school authority to reassure the young girl of her safety and welfare, to avoid further problems.

“This incident, though false, is an opportune time to remind teachers, parents, and guardians, of their crucial responsibility once again with respect to the safety and wellbeing of our young children. We urge them to continue to monitor and report to Police as soon as possible, anything suspicious that would likely place our children’s lives and safety at risk. In this regard, we wish to acknowledge the school authority in this matter who made a timely referral to the Police.

Commissioner Shane McLennan also said: “Tonga Police would rather receive early advice of a suspected complaint or suspicious behaviour, even if it later turns out to be false or misleading. Our job is to protect the public, especially our most vulnerable citizens like our children, and I’d rather our resources be called upon early, than have members of the public wait until they are more certain of the circumstances; by then, crucial evidence may be lost.”

“We are grateful to the young girl involved in this incident, for having the courage to speak up and tell the truth. Life is a journey of ups and downs, and we can always learn from our mistakes.”

Tonga Police again provides the following safety measures proposed for schools and parents to always keep in mind:

1. Remind children NOT TO TALK TO STRANGERS and not to accept anything offered by anyone other than their parents, family members, or teacher.

2. Pick up your child on time and share a list of those that can pick up your child with the school.

3. Parents should provide lunches to prevent children from leaving the school compound.

4. School gates to be locked during school hours.

5. Have a designated location, that can be easily monitored, for drop off and pick up.

6. A teacher should accompany students while waiting for pick-up at the end of school.

7. Monitor the child and take note of any sudden change in their behaviour and take time to find out why. Any out-of-character behaviour should not be ignored.

8. Alert Police should you or the child feel unsafe.

If you have any information to share with Police in relation to this issue, please contact us on 922 or 740-1625.

King Tupou VI receives third Covid booster jab

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala faka-Tonga

The king of Tonga, His Majesty King Tupou VI, has received a third shot of the Covid-19 vaccine yesterday.

A team from the Ministry of Health led by the Royal Physician, Dr Sione Latu administered the royal jab at the Heilala Tangitangi Palace in ‘Eua.

“The Ministry of Health is so grateful for the continued support from His Majesty and the Royal Family in the fight against COVID-19 through the vaccination program”, the Ministry said.

Tonga had 16,810 positive cases of Covid 19 and 13 deaths.

It has been three years since the outbreak of Covid-19 and over almost seven million worldwide reported deaths.

The World Helth Organisation (WHO) boss Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed his approval of the countries of the world’s various health sectors’ successful efforts to counter the deadly virus.

“I am confident that at some point this year we will be able to say that Covid-19 is over as a public health emergency of international concern – and as a pandemic.”

This comes after countries of the WHO held negotiations on a global accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, using the “zero draft” as a basis for negotiating an agreement to protect nations and communities from future pandemic emergencies.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Huhu malu’i pusitā hono tolu ‘a e Hau ‘O e Fonua’. Pea ‘oku fakavikiviki’i ‘eni ‘e he Potungāue Mo’ui ‘a Tonga ‘o taku ko e tā sipinga lelei ki he kakai’. Lahi foki e ngaahi fakafepaki mei he ni’ihi ki he huhu malu’i kau ai ‘a e ngaahi siasi pe lotu pea ‘oku tau’ataina pe ia. Taimi tatau meimei ko e kau taki ‘o e ngaahi siasi lalahi ‘o Tonga’ ‘oku nau poupou’i ‘e kinautolu ‘a e huhu malu’i. Ko e tu’i foki ko e ‘ulu ia ‘o e siasi Uesiliana’ fakatatau mo e konisitūtone ‘a e siasi’ pea ‘oku ‘i ai ‘ene toketā makehe, ‘ene kau fale’i fakalao mataotao, na’e toe ako lelei pe foki ‘a e tama tu’i pea toe ‘i ai mo hono ‘ofisi fakangāue’i ai e kakai poto ke tokanga’i e malu ‘ene mo’ui ‘i he tapa kotoa. Pea ko e kakai ‘eni ‘oku nau fai ‘a e fale’i mo poupou ki he tama tu’i ke hokohoko atu ‘a e huhu malu’i ke fakapapau’i ‘ikai ha’ane tō ki he faingata’a ‘o e mahaki faka’auha’. Taimi tatau kei fakapapau’i ‘e he Kautaha Mo’ui ‘a Māmani’, ka ne ‘ikai ‘a e faito’o huhu malu’i’ ‘e ‘ikai pe holo ‘a e mafola ‘a e vailasi’. Na’e kamata e tō ‘a e vailasi pea fakalalahi ‘o iku tātāpuni ‘a e ngaahi kau’āfonua’, ka ‘i he mōmeniti pe hono ma’u ‘o e faito’o’ ko ‘ene fakaava ia e ngaahi pōtaa’ pea holo ‘a ‘ene mafola ‘a e vailasi’. Kuo pehē ‘e he taki ‘o e WHO ‘e vave’ ni pe ha taimi kuo fakahā fakamāmani lahi ai kuo ‘osi ‘a e vailasi’. ‘Oku hangē pe vekisini pe huhu malu’i ki he Koviti ko ha toe vekisini ki he ngaahi mahaki kehe’. ‘E kehekehe pe ‘a e fakafeangai ‘a e sino o e tangata’ ki ai makatu’unga ‘i he tu’unga mo’ui lelei ‘a honau sino’. Hangē ko e ni’ihi ‘osi e huhu kuo tā vaivaia, kae taimi tatau ‘osi e huhu ia ‘o e tokolahi ‘oku ‘ikai ke nau ongo’i ‘e kinautolu ha me’a. Kei fakapapau’i pe mei he ngaahi potungāue mo’ui mo e WHO ‘oku ‘ikai hano kovi ‘e taha ‘o e huhu malu’i. Ko e ngaahi mate kuo hoko kia kinautolu ne ‘osi huhu malu’i, ko e tupu ia mei he ngaahi mahaki tauhi ne nau ma’u ‘o ‘ikai malohi fe’unga ‘a e huhu malu’i ke malu’i kinautolu. Ni’ihi ne ‘ikai ‘asi hanau mahaki tauhi ka ne toki ‘ilo ia ‘i he taimi huhu malu’i’.

Real Tonga boss urges government to let private sector take over air transport

By
Kalino Latu
-

Real Tonga Airlines CEO Tevita Palu says the Tongan government should leave the airline services to the private sector.

Palu Aviation and Real Tonga owner Tēvita Palu

As Kaniva News reported earlier, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku suggested that selling its Lulutai airline to a private company could be a way to resolve the crisis over the outer islands service.

The government-owned SAAB 340 aircraft is undergoing engine repairs and is expected to be grounded for three to four months.

The government’s Lulutai airlines has been mired in controversy ever since it was started by the previous government to replace Palu’s Real Tonga airline.

Palu earlier said Real Tonga Airlines was ready to replace Lulutai airlines.

“Real Tonga can step back in now to offer the domestic air service as they have done in the past for seven years,” Palu said last month.

“Real Tonga operated the domestic services for seven years,” Palu said.

He said the Tongan government had used Covid as an opportunity to forcibly remove the services from Real Tonga.

Palu said he had helped Lulutai with mechanical assistance.

“It has been 30 years since I did this job with my company Palu Aviation for Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin and Fiji Airways,” he said.

The government operated its Lulutai airline for two years and has now had to hire Fiji Airways to maintain the service to Vava’u until June 30.

Australia had provided a $500,000 subsidy to pay Fiji Airways.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku met with Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and senior Staff at the company’s head office in Nadi last month. He and a Tongan delegation toured the Fijian airlines’ facilities.

For more information

Australian financial subsidy will keep Tongatapu-Vava’u service flying until June

Australian financial subsidy will keep Tongatapu-Vava‘u service flying until June

Real Tonga ready to fill gap left by loss of Lulutai services, says former airline’s boss

Real Tonga ready to fill gap left by loss of Lulutai services, says former airline’s boss

Honourable Prime Minister and Lulutai team meet with Fiji Airways management

Honourable Prime Minister and Lulutai team meet with Fiji Airways management

James Helu farewelled with full gang honours in West Auckland.

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By George Block, Newstalk ZB

Trinity Elijah Duffy, 39, also known as James Helu, died hours after a standoff with armed police executing a search warrant at his Newington Rd home in Henderson on February 24.

Police retreated and surrounded his property for several hours, attempting to negotiate with Duffy, who was intermittently live streaming on Facebook from inside the house.

Cordons were established and a stand-off ensued. He was found dead inside the home that evening when members of the Armed Offenders Squad ventured inside.

His death has been referred to the Coroner and is not being treated as suspicious.

Duffy was a patched member of the Head Hunters. He has been lying in state at the headquarters of the gang’s West Chapter in View Rd ahead of his burial Waikumete Cemetery.

On Monday, he was taken in a convoy accompanied by a motorcycle procession from the pad around Auckland.

There was a low key police presence around the pad and the cemetery but no checkpoints.

Members of other gangs, including the Hells Angels, Filthy Few and Killer Beez turned out to show their support.

The Eagle Helicopter monitored the procession as it moved around Auckland ahead of arriving at the cemetery.

Police said in a statement they would follow up any breaches of road rules.

“Police will be monitoring gang movements through the western suburbs of Waitematā for a tangi today, however there are no planned checkpoints in place.

”We have clear expectations around how we expect those involved to behave.

”Police will have zero tolerance for driving behaviour that puts other road users at risk.

”Any unlawful behaviour will be investigated and followed up with enforcement action.

A patched member of the Head Hunters at the scene told the Herald he viewed the police actions around the funeral and procession as harassment.

The procession of dozens of bikes with mostly Head Hunters but also groups friendly with the powerful Auckland gang, including the Filthy Few, Hells Angels and Killer Beez, spent about an hour riding around the city, stopping briefly for burnouts outside the home in Henderson where Duffy died.

Waitematā CIB Detective Inspector Kevin McNaughton earlier said the incident stemmed from a pre-planned search warrant for the gang member wanted for serious offending.

”Upon arrival, our staff were met with extreme hostility from the subject of the search warrant,” he said.

“Cordons were immediately put in place as a result, with some residents in the immediate vicinity evacuated as a precaution.

Police tried to speak to Duffy throughout the day, but he “repeatedly refused to engage” with officers, McNaughton said.

“An investigation will now commence into the man’s death on behalf of the Coroner. The Independent Police Conduct Authority will also be advised, as is standard procedure.

“Police would like to acknowledge the Henderson community for their co-operation and understanding, as they were disrupted by the cordons in place throughout the day,” McNaughton said.

A coronial spokeswoman confirmed the case was not active with a coroner but said no further details were available.

Two dead after crash in Auckland’s Westgate

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Two people have died after a crash in Auckland’s Westgate this afternoon.

Police responded to the two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Fred Taylor Drive and Dunlop Road at 3.17pm, a spokesperson said.

“Sadly, one person has been located deceased at the scene and a second person has died upon arrival at hospital.

“Diversions remain in place and motorists are asked to delay travelling in the area if possible.”

The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene.

Covid-19: Two people in 30s among 22 deaths, 11,544 cases

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala faka-Tonga

Covid-19 cases continue to rise, with 11,544 new infections reported over the past week.

The numbers cover the week from Monday, March 6 to Sunday, March 12.

As at midnight Sunday, there were 190 people in hospital with the virus.

Five people were in an intensive care or high dependency unit as at midnight Sunday.

Twenty-two more people with the virus have died, including two who were in their 30s.

Of the 22 people who have died, two were in their 60s, five were in their 70s, eight were in their 80s and three were aged over 90.

Fifteen were men and seven were women.

Six were from the Auckland region, five were from Canterbury, two each were from the Lakes and MidCentral districts, and one each were from Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, the Wellington region, South Canterbury and the Southern District.

The number of deaths confirmed as attributable to Covid-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor, is 2560.

Last week’s positive cases, detected through rapid antigen tests (RATs) and PCR tests, are located in Northland (279), Auckland (3216), Waikato (740), Bay of Plenty (386), Lakes District (244), Hawke’s Bay (345), MidCentral District (449), Whanganui (159), Taranaki (220), Tairāwhiti (81), Wairarapa (180), Capital and Coast (822), Hutt Valley (296), Nelson Marlborough (474), Canterbury (2063), West Coast (112), South Canterbury (184) and Southern District (1252).

The location of 42 cases is unknown.

The seven-day rolling average of cases is 1644. The seven-day rolling average of RAT results is 2477.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Toe kaka ‘a e lahi ‘o e keisi ‘i he Koviti ‘aki ‘eni ‘a e toko 11,544 ko e keisi fo’ou ia kuo lipooti he uike kuo ‘osi’.

Ko e fika ia mei he Monite ‘aho ono Ma’asi ki he ‘aho 12

I he tu’uapō Sāpate na’e toko 190 ‘a e kakai ‘i fale nahaki ne ma’u ‘e he vailasi’. Toko nima ne ‘i he intensive care pe ‘iuniti high dependency. Na’e toe ‘i ai mo e toko 22 ne nau mate, toko ua ‘i hona ta’u 60 tupu’, nima ‘i honau 70 tupu’, toko valu ‘i honau 80 tupu’ pea tolu ‘ova he 90. Ko e toko 15 ko e kakai tangata pea fitu ko e kakai fefine.

Ko e toko ono mei he vāhenga ‘Aokalani, nima mei Canterbury, taki ua mei he vāhenga Lakes mo MidCentral mo e taki taha mei Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s bay, Uelingatonu mo e the Southern District.

Ko e lahi ‘o e mate’ kuo fakapapau’i ko e tupu mei he Koviti, ka ‘ikai pe ko e mahaki tauhi na’e tupu ai ‘a e mate pe ko ha tokoni ‘a e Koviti ke mate ai ia ‘i honau mahaki tauhi’ ‘a ia ko e toko 2560.

‘I he uike kuo ‘osi ko e ngaahi keisi positive na’e ma’u ia ‘i he tesi rapid antigen RATS moe PCR ‘a ia ko e ko Northland (279), Auckland (3216), Waikato (740), Bay of Plenty (386), Lakes District (244), Hawke’s Bay (345), MidCentral District (449), Whanganui (159), Taranaki (220), Tairāwhiti (81), Wairarapa (180), Capital and Coast (822), Hutt Valley (296), Nelson Marlborough (474), Canterbury (2063), West Coast (112), South Canterbury (184) and Southern District (1252).

Na’e ‘i ai e keisi ‘e 42 ne ‘ikai ‘ilo honau feitu’u. Faka’avalisi ki he toko 1644 e ‘avalisi ‘o e vilo ‘i he ‘aho ‘e fitu.

Jury discharged in trial over Tinder-induced murder

By
Kaniva Staff
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By au.news.yahoo.com

A jury has been discharged in the trial of five co-accused over a stabbing murder in Sydney’s southwest after the victim was seen with “wads of cash” on a Tinder date.

Bilal Rahim, Joseph Nehme, Viliami Taufahema, Sherene Rizk and Lisa Anne Price were facing a NSW Supreme Court trial over the death of Luke Lembryk in the early hours of December 7, 2019, at the unit he shared with his mother in Condell Park.

Jurors were sent home on Friday after a High Court decision on a South Australian case, handed down two days earlier, radically changed national law regarding joint criminal enterprise and constructive murder.

“I think it is very difficult to resist a reading of (the judgment) to the effect that the combination of extended joint criminal enterprise at common law and constructive murder has been abolished, not just in South Australia, but throughout Australia, for all purposes,” Justice Richard Button wrote.

If the trial were to continue, the only basis for which crown prosecutors had run their case against the five co-accused no longer existed in Australia, the judge said.

In its decision, the High Court overturned convictions for Ben Mitchell, Alfred Rigney, Matt Tenhoopen and Aaron Carver.

The four men had previously been found guilty of the bashing murder of Albanian refugee Urim Gjabri while stealing cannabis at his Adelaide premises.

In the NSW Supreme Court case, which began on February 28, Rahim, Nehme, Taufahema and Price pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, while Rizk fought a charge of being an accessory before the fact.

Mr Lembryk was pronounced dead at the scene about 2.45am on December 7, having suffered stab wounds to his heart, arm, leg and finger.

Rahim, Nehme and Taufahema allegedly went to the unit to do the “Condell Park job”, with “specific guidance” to find the residence given via telephone by Price, who had previously been there and saw wads of cash, after initially connecting with Mr Lembryk via Tinder.

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