New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Tonga, Tiffany Babington, has signed a Grant Contribution letter to the Government of Tonga for a NZ$8 million COVID-19 financial support package.
PM Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa and NZ High Commissioner. Throughout the pandemic, Aotearoa New Zealand is continuing to adapt our economic and health system support to meet country and regional needs. Photo/Supplied
This letter was handed over to the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon Rev Dr Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, at an event on Wednesday 9 June.
“This support will help the Government of Tonga respond to specific economic and social impacts of COVID-19, such as, providing financial support and social protection for businesses and households that have experienced economic hardship as a result of the pandemic. It will also assist with the Government of Tonga’s repatriation efforts,” said High Commissioner Babington.
New Zealand is working in partnership with Tonga, as well as other countries in the Pacific, to support their COVID-19 responses and build resilience for the future.
Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa welcomed New Zealand’s assistance. “On behalf of His Majesty’s Government, I am pleased to express our sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Government and the people of New Zealand, for your continued financial support to the Kingdom of Tonga, which is timely in our response to the ongoing crises of health and climate change. This invaluable assistance will assist in our efforts to respond and meet the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the Prime Minister.
Closing borders and protecting our people has come at a cost to the whole region, and by providing budget support, New Zealand is enabling Pacific governments to respond quickly to their most urgent development priorities, and determine where this is needed most according to their individual circumstances.
This financial support package is in addition to support that has already been provided by New Zealand, including:
NZ$4 million in budget support for the Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package
NZ$1.6 million in funding for a new Central Pharmacy Warehouse
NZ$100,000 from our Emergency High Commission or Embassy Fund to the Ministry of Health for a medical waste collection truck
NZ$1 million to MoH’s pandemic preparedness and response plan
NZ$550,000 worth of PPE
NZ$1 million to support implementation of the WHO Pacific Regional Preparedness and Response Plan
NZ$1 million to support WHO purchase GeneXpert machines and cartridges which have given Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, COVID-19 testing capability
New Zealand COVID-19 vaccine support for Polynesia and the Pacific including through COVAX.
Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has failed to address questions about the thousands of pa’anga the government has paid to convicted Minister Akosita Lavulavu.
Kaniva News understands she was paid while out of office and attending court for six weeks. She is continued to be paid.
Questions arose after Tu’i’onetoa claimed that previous governments had had to financially compensate Ministers who had been sacked, but then won an appeal against their guilty verdicts.
Kaniva News has asked the Prime Minister to give an example of such an incident. We are waiting for a reply.
We queried him after he asked Kaniva News and other media to help him publicise his decision to keep Akosita in office despite her conviction.
He justified his decision by saying he would not force Akosita to resign because Clause 23 of the Constitution said anybody who had been convicted could appeal their sentence within 42 days.
His stance has sparked a public uproar, with many calling for him to use his prerogative under Clause 51 to suspend Akosita until her seeking leave to appeal her sentencing had been confirmed.
What happened to ministers who were dismissed in the past?
Kaniva News believes that of all the Cabinet ministers dismissed or demoted by Prime Ministers or the king before and after the 2010 political reforms, none were convicted while they were ministers.
Cabinet ministers who had been dismissed resigned because they either became involved in allegations, caused distraction to the government or the Prime Ministers were not happy with their performance.
This was because the Prime Minister has exclusive power given by Clause 51 of the Constitution to sack them at his pleasure. It mirrors Clause 50, which gives the PM the power to appoint his Cabinet.
Akosita is believed to be the first Cabinet Minister in Tonga to be convicted in the Supreme Court of serious fraud, but Tu’i’onetoa has taken no action against her.
How much Akosita is expected to have received?
The Prime Minister must come clean and explain why Akosita has continued to be paid. As Kaniva News reported last week, she was expected to have received an estimated TP$30,000 when she was out of office to attend her fraud trial and for the three months until September.
This money from the government’s coffers cannot be paid back to the Ministry of Finance even if Akosita’s seeking leave to appeal is dismissed, a source who was familiar with the government’s salaries said.
It is believed Akosita has been paid more than TP$7500 by the government as her normal salary. The money was meant for her to stay in her office and perform her ministerial duties or to represent Vava’u 16 in Parliament.
She is expected to remain in office until July 2 when the Supreme Court is expected to lay down her sentencing. This means that in another 28-day period, Akosita is expected to receive payments of about $5000 in total.
After her sentencing it is anticipated that she will stay in her government office for another 42 days, during which time she is expected to apply for permission to appeal against her Supreme Court conviction. This means she is expected to receive another total of TP$7500 payment for this period.
If she lodges an appeal, it could take another 42 days or longer before she faces the Appeal Court. This meant she is expected to receive another payment of about TP$7500 for that period.
Our source said Akosita’s Cabinet and parliamentary salary was around TP$1250 a week on top of her other allowances and entitlements.
What were the reactions against the PM?
The Prime Minister’s repeated refusal to penalise Akosita has sparked a huge uproar with many calling on him to resign.
In Parliament this week the Noble MPs led by Lord Tu’iha’angana along with Opposition Party took side with the public and told the prime minister he had to do something against Akosita.
There were calls for him to use his common sense and stand her down to maintain the government’s reputation and the king’s dignity.
Tu’i’onetoa has been slammed for using the Holy Bible and Clause 23 of the Constitution to defend his decision to keep Akosita in office while at the same time the constitution clause 51 has given him a prerogative power to force her to resign.
The Prime Minister is now facing another backlash over revelations about her pay. Critics have lashed out, saying that he has repeatedly changed his justification for taking no action against her.
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
‘Oku mālie ‘a e kumi ‘uhinga holo ‘a e palēmia’ ke malu’i ‘ene ta’efiemāvae kava mo Akosita Lavulavu hili hono fakahalaia’i ia ‘i he fakamaau’anga’ pea ‘asi mai mo ‘ene ngaahi fakamatala hā ta’emo’oni pea ‘oku ‘ikai ko ‘ene toki fai ‘eni. Tala mai ‘e he palēmia’ ‘oku’ ne loto ke tuku pe ‘a Sita ‘i loto he ne ‘osi tuku ki tu’a tokua ‘e he kau palēmia ki mu’a ‘a e kakai pe kau minisitā ne halaia he fakamaau’anga’ pea iku ‘o tangi kinautolu ‘o liliu ‘e he fakamaau’anga tangi’ ‘a honau tautea’ ka kuo mole honau lakanga’. Toe pehē ‘e Tu’i’onetoa na’e iku ‘o mole lahi ‘a e pule’anga’ ‘i he ngaahi keisi peheni’ hili hono totongi huhu’i e kau minisitā pe kakai ko eni’. Na’a’ ne fakamatala’i e tu’utu’uni ‘ikai ‘ilo pe ko ha mo’oni ko ‘eni ‘a e kau palēmia ki mu’a’ ko e “kāimu’a” mo e “‘oho’ohomu’a”. Na’e fehu’i atu leva mei he Kaniva’ ‘o ‘eke ange ke ne tala mai ange’ ha minisitā mo ha palēmia ne hoko ki ai ha me’a pehē ki mu’a’ hangē ko ‘ene fakamatala’. ‘Oku te’eki ai ke ne tali mai ‘a e fehu’i ko ‘eni. ‘Oku tui ‘a e Kaniva’ ‘oku ‘ikai mo’oni e fakamatala ko ‘eni ‘a Tu’i’onetoa’. Ne te’eki ’i ai ha minisitā ia ‘i Tonga he teketi (decade) ‘e tolu kuohili’ ne mo’ua he fakamaau’anga’ pea tuku ki tu’a pea tangi ia ‘o toe liliu hono tautea’ pea iku toe totongi huhu’i ia ‘e he pule’anga’. Ko e kotoa e kau minisitā kuo fakafisi ‘i Tonga he kuohili’ ne fai pe ia he tu’utu’uni ‘a e kau palēmia ‘aho ko ia’ tu’unga ha hu’uhu’u kuo fai kia kinautolu pe ko ha ‘ikai pe fiemālie e palēmia’ ia kia kinautolu. Ko e mafai fakaleveleva ia ‘o e palēmia pea ‘oku ‘ikai ha lao ia ke ne ta’ofi. Ka kuo kalo ia fai ‘ene faka’uhinga mo manavasi’i na’a mo’ua e pule’anga’ tokua ha tali e tangi ‘a Sita’ kae fēfē ‘ene vahe’ pe ‘ena kae nofo fale hopo ia’? Toe hokohoko atu pe ‘eni ‘ene vahe’ pea ka ‘alu ia ‘o ngāue pōpula ‘e toe totongi fakafoki fēfee’i mai e pa’anga kakai’ ko ia?
Details of the Lavulavu’s fraud continue to emerge, with revelations that they used a joint account belonging to convicted Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu and her father to transfer money from ‘Unuaki ‘O Tonga Royal Institute’s bank accounts.
‘Etuate Lavulavu (L), Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu
News of the involvement of the Minister’s father emerged during the trial at which the Minister and her husband, disgraced former MP Etuate Lavulavu, were found guilty of defrauding the government of TP$558,600.
Armed with a search warrant Police found another two bank accounts belonging to the ‘Unuaki ‘O Tonga Royal Institute under Akosita and her husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu’s names.
The 126 page report on the trial and judgement said there were cross transfers between all the accounts.
The conviction included three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents to defraud the government’s school grant scheme.
They are set to be sentenced on July 2.
Police also seized a letter applying for a loan from the Tonga Development Bank at the Lavulavu couple’s residential address.
They found two UTRI bank accounts, 2000911715 and 2000778155, which allowed them to compare receipts with deposits.
Auditor General Sēfita Tangi. Photo/Facebook
The judgement said both accounts were the name of both defendants, who signed for both of them. The opening of this account signed for by both ‘Etuate and Akosita.
The other account, 2000638284 BSP, was in the name of Akosita and her father.
In kind or barter school fees
The Lavulavus claimed students did not pay fees in 2013 and 2014 and said they were given the option of making handicrafts or working for the Institute.
“They were able to work in services in buffet dinner services,” Etuate said.
“They were also able to work in tour guiding services. Also do some cleaning up of rubbish at school”
These types of payments were described in court during the trial as barter or payment-in- kind.
Auditor General Vs Former Finance Minister
Auditor General Sēfita Tangi told the court Cabinet had made no decision to allow these kinds of payments.
“Auditor General made the point that UTRI did not have a record system to prove ‘ in kind’ payment system”.
“Cabinet decision only allows school fees; the reciprocated monetary receipt. Which means pay in cash,” Tangi said.
“This has been procedure probably more than a century for schools in Tonga.
Payment-in kind or barter had never been accepted. “Only money was accepted. “
Dr ‘Aisake Eke’s claims
As Kaniva News reported yesterday, Dr ‘Aisake Eke claimed that bartering services or labour for school fees was used world wide.
Under cross-examination by the prosecutor the former Minister of Finance claimed it was perfectly legitimate for the Institute to record a monetary value for the barter in the receipt book.
He said one student had brought a pig as part payment and the value of the pig had been recorded despite it contradicting the pro-forma words on the receipt.
Dr Eke also claimed he “knew of under payments and over payments” but “do not know any institutions that were prosecuted for overpayments.”
He said non-government schools were allowed to set their own fee system and that it was acceptable to write a cash receipt because of the value of the bartered item tendered.
He said enrolment figures were manipulated when there were differences between first and second semester.
He said there had been an assumption that audits were being held annually and that money was only released to the Institute after an audit had been made.
However, government officials were very busy and there was a lack of co-ordination, despite calls for improvements in the process in 2016. Staff conducting audits were told to follow earlier Cabinet decisions.
Not telling the truth
As we reported yesterday, Justice Cooper said Dr. Eke provided no proof for his claims and that all his credibility was gone.
“It was obvious he was not desirous of telling the truth.”
When convicted Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu was appointed in October 2019 one of her first moves in office was rewarding one of their key witnesses by giving her an important role in her Ministry of Infrastructure, the Supreme Court has revealed.
Convicted Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu (L), ‘Etuate Lavulavu. Photo/Facebook
Akosita and her convicted husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu were both found guilty for obtaining TOP$558,600 by false pretences.
The conviction included three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents to defraud the government’s school grant.
They are set to be sentenced on July 2.
Muna Nasiai, 29, who previously worked in the Lavulavus’ school office, was employed as Akosita’s personal assistant (PA).
Justice Nicholas Cooper said Nasilai “deliberately misled” the court by lying that she was a “clerk” in the Ministry for Infrastructure, before it was found out during the trial and on oath she was in fact Akosita’s PA.
“It is a particularly egregious aspect of this case that both defendants have tried to corrupt the trial process by buying off at least one witness,” the judge said.
Taught to lie
The judge said he was no doubt that both ‘Etuate and Nasilai “rehearsed what she was to say in answer to questions put to her by him”.
But ‘Etuate “had made an error in what he taught her so she repeated that same incorrect version” to the judge in court.
Nasilai, along with another witness Simione Tahi, had been described by Mr Cooper as examples of witnesses determined to lie to the court for the Lavulavu couple.
“Nasilai were plainly instrumental in the dishonest bidding of both defendants in the recruitments; the enrolment lists, and the receipts, she appears to be as culpable as these defendants from what I have seen”, Justice Cooper said.
“I am quite sure she was bought off by Mrs Lavulavu (and her husband) and given a job in the Ministry of Infrastructure where Mrs Lavulavu had become a Minister in October 2019”.
During the seven-week trial, Nasilai also pretended to be ill so that she could not come to court to produce her work contract with the Ministry, after she was ordered by the judge.
“That she was in fact Mrs. Lavulavu’s Personal Assistant means that the court was deliberately misled when she was identified during the trial and on oath, as being a “clerk” in the Ministry for Infrastructure”.
“That deceit strikes at the heart of this case because Miss Nasilai was called as a witness of truth on key issues the defence have gone on to rely on.
“But steps were taken to disguise her association and connection to the first defendant.
Justice Cooper said Nasilai’s lying on behalf of the Lavulavus was clear when she gave her evidence of two government auditors, Miss Golton and Mr Elone.
“This was a mistake that Mr. Lavulavu made in his questioning of her and was perpetuated by Miss Nasilai in her answer when she agreed with this, but went on to say she did not know the names of the people from MET who had come to check.
“Of course, they were really Miss Golton and Mr Elone.
“The corollary of this is that plainly both Mr. Lavulavu and Miss Nasilai had rehearsed what she was to say in answer to questions put to her by him; he had made an error in what he taught her so she repeated that same incorrect version to me in court. No doubt this attempt to assist the defendants by perjuring herself is how and why she was ‘rewarded’ with a job by Mrs Lavulavu”.
Looked uneasy
Mr Cooper described Nasilai’s reaction in court while she was giving evidence about a meeting in Sopu as “looking very uneasy at this point”.
“She was hardly ever addressing her answers to me and often casting her eyes to the ground when answering. She stated from 2012 to 2016 nothing illegal had happened at UTRI”, Justice Cooper said.
As we reported previously, the Lavulavu couple have been released on bail after their conviction.
The conditions of the bail included requiring the couple to report into the central police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and they are prohibited from leaving the mainland Tongatapu .
Former Minister of Finance and MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke failed to tell the truth in court when he gave evidence at the trial of the convicted Minister of Infrastructure Akosita Lavulavu and her convicted husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu, a Supreme Court judge said.
Dr ‘Aisake Eke (L), ‘Etuate Lavulavu
The couple, who swindled the government’s school grant out of more than $500,000 left the judge in no doubt that instead of using the funds to support their Unuaki ‘O Tonga Royal Institute (YTRI) and the teachers, the Lavulavu “used the monies freely for themselves”.
Dr Eke made claims in court in which the judge referred to them in his judgement as the former and the latter.
He said the “Cabinet Decision 1182 dated 22 December 2009 70 , effectively were the rules for processing of TVET grants for Tongan schools”.
Dr Eke claimed he “knew of under payments and over payments” but “do not know any institutions prosecuted for overpayments”.
“Heard from some service providers there was real financial hardship”.
“If the roll calls higher, then lower and deduct for the 2nd Semester.
“2016 came across Government document calling for the improvement of subsidies but this manual was not approved.
“No guidance manual approved in his time, just the Cabinet Decision 1182
“When the audit came annually, they should follow 1182. Audit is to check the reality, by talking with the other parties.
“Supposed to audit then release money, but they were very busy. An assumption they did it annually. Problem was lack of coordination”.
Dr Eke also claimed that non government schools were allowed to set their own fee system and that it was acceptable to write a cash receipt because of the value of the bartered item tendered.
When he was under cross-examination by the prosecutor, “he claimed that for example in a receipt book had a student brought a pig by way of payment then recording a sum of money received was a legitimate as it expressed its value, despite and contrary to the proforma words on the receipt. He could not recall if UTRI was one of those colleges facing hardship”.
Not desirous of telling the truth
Mr Cooper said: “Dr. Eke provided no proof as to the former claim and when he made the latter, all his credibility was gone, it then being so obvious he was not desirous of telling the truth”.
Parts of his claims were made after the court was told the grant was used to reimburse ‘Etuate.
The judge rejected this and said “the grant had clearly defined specific purposes and only those uses : 50% to supplement teachers’ salaries, the rest to improve teaching and minor renovations, never was it to be a reimbursement system”.
Mr Cooper described the Lavulavus’ conduct as “disgraceful” and “goes beyond just criminally reprehensible”
“ This is an example of the worst sort of dishonesty; people who should be working earnestly for constituents but use their position, connections and influence to steal from a fund for the education of children of this Kingdom and then in front of me in court, twist the evidence and lean on witnesses to try extricate themselves”.
The court case had been dubbed the trial of the century.
The fact that it involved two high profile political figures, ‘Etuate’s no stranger to controversy and court, and that the Prime Minister’s repeatedly demonstrated inclination to take no action against Akosita, the conviction has sparked public outrage.
Public outrage
Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa is being heavily criticized after he repeatedly refused to take immediate action against Akosita. He told Kaniva News last week Akosita will remain in office until an appeal leave is expected after July 2. It will take another 42 days to process that appeal application.
The prime minister has been urged to use his common sense and stop mixing religion and politics as an excuse to do nothing.
Tu’i’onetoa has been slammed as cynical and irresponsible after he appears to support Akosita and failing to show empathy and sensitivity to the taxpayers and overseas donors such as New Zealand and Australia which funded the school grants which have been defrauded by the Lavulavus.
The Prime Minister now is facing another backlash after it has been reported that Akosita was still receiving her full pay from the government since the first day she was in court facing her fraud charges.
Tu’i’onetoa maintained his decision was fair to allow Akosita to go through the court’s due process and if the appeal court upholds the Supreme Court’s decision than he will make his final decision.
But critics lashed out with many saying he was indecisive after previously defending Akosita by hiding behind the principle of innocent until found guilty. When Akosita was convicted he said the constitution clause 23 gave her another chance until her appeal is complete.
A man has been charged with manslaughter this morning over the death of MMA fighter Liufau Vake in Auckland last month.
He was one of the four men who appeared in Auckland District Court today charged in relation to the fatal incident on Symonds St in the early hours of Sunday, May 16.
It is alleged Vake fell after being hit from behind while he was heading home after a night out in the CBD.
The identifies of the four men will stay secret until June 23 and their cases have been transferred to the High Court.
As we reported previously, one of the men was charged with common assault, another with two counts of assaulting with intent to injure, another charged with wounding with intent and injuring with intent, and another is also charged with common assault.
Three of the men are aged 29. The fourth is a 32-year-old.
Vake’s last fought before he died was in late April. It was part of the Undisputed Fight Series event in Wairarapa, where he won by TKO in the first round in the card’s main event.
He had a 2-0-0 win-loss-draw record as a middleweight MMA fighter.
His death has been described as a great loss to the mixed martial art community as Vake had been seen as a promising and rising start fighter.
Convicted Cabinet Minister and MP Akosita Lavulavu was expected to receive an estimated amount of TOP$30,000 when she was out of office to attend her fraud trial and while deciding whether to seek leave to appeal her Supreme Court conviction in more than two month’s time.
This money from the government’s coffers cannot be paid back to the Ministry of Finance even if Akosita’s seeking leave to appeal is dismissed, a source who was familiar with the government’s salaries said.
It is believed Akosita has been paid more than TP$7500 by the government as her normal salary. The money was meant for her to stay in her office and perform her ministerial duties or to represent Vava’u 16 in Parliament.
She is expected to remain in office until July 2 when the Supreme Court is expected to lay down her sentencing. This means that in another 28-day period, Akosita is expected to receive payments of about $5000 in total.
After her sentencing it is anticipated that she will stay in her government office for another 42 days, during which time she is expected to apply for permission to appeal against her Supreme Court conviction. This means she is expected to receive another total of TP$7500 payment for this period.
If she lodges an appeal, it could take another 42 days or longer before she faces the Appeal Court. This meant she is expected to receive another payment of about TP$7500 for that period.
Our source said Akosita’s Cabinet and parliamentary salary was around TP$1250 a week on top of her other allowances and entitlements.
Bail conditions
As we reported previously, the Lavulavu couple have been released on bail after their conviction.
The conditions of the bail included requiring the couple to report into the central police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and they are prohibited from leaving the mainland Tongatapu .
Akosita and her husband, ousted former Cabinet Minister and MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu, were both found guilty for obtaining TOP$558,600 by false pretences.
The conviction included three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents.
Public outrage
Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa is being heavily criticized after he repeatedly refused to take immediate action against Akosita. He told Kaniva News last week Akosita will remain in office until an appeal application is expected after July 2. It will take another 42 days to process that appeal application.
There were calls for the prime minister to use his common sense and stand her down to keep the good reputation of the government and the king’s dignity.
The prime minister has been slammed for using the Holy Bible and clause 23 of the constitution to defend his controversial decision to keep Akosita in office while at the same time the constitution clause 51 has given him a prerogative power to force her to resign.
The Prime Minister now is facing another backlash after it was clear Akosita was still receiving her full pay from the government since the first day she was in court to face her fraud charges.
Tu’i’onetoa maintained his decision was fair to allow Akosita to go through the court’s due process and if the appeal court upholds the Supreme Court’s decision than he will make his final decision.
But critics lashed out with many saying he was two-faced and he appears to have changed his stance against the Lavulavu saga from time to time.
Tu’i’onetoa previously defended Akosita by hiding behind the principle of innocent until found guilty. When Akosita was convicted he said the constitution clause 23 gave her another chance until her appeal is complete.
Cabinet Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband, ousted former Cabinet Minister and MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu, were both found guilty on Friday for obtaining TOP$558,600 by false pretences.
The charges included three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents.
They are set to be sentenced on July 2.
It’s currently unclear how much time the couple will spend behind bars.
Obtaining an advantage by false pretences carries a maximum penalty of five years’ jail while forgery carries a maximum imprisonment of seven years.
Knowingly dealing with forged documents carries a maximum penalty of five years.
The presiding judge, Nicholas Cooper, has wide discretion in how he imposes the sentences. It’s unclear whether the sentences will be imposed consecutively or concurrently — or whether Akosita’s status as a first-time offender will result in a shorter sentence.
‘Etuate was no stranger to court and he could be given the maximum allowable sentences. The Supreme Court convicted him of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign.
The conviction cost him his Parliamentary seat for Vava’u No. 16.
In his summary of the case, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Lavulavu was not a credible witness and that his evidence was implausible, evasive and untruthful.
Furious backlash
Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa provoked a furious backlash from the public for refusing to sack Akosita.
Tu’i’onetoa has used the constitution’s clause 23 to defend his failure to take immediate action against Akosita because she has appealed her conviction, a move which will take a 42-day process.
But critics called on him to use his exclusive power given by clause 51 to sack her.
‘Akosita previously told Kaniva News he would not step down citing the principle of everyone is innocent until found guilty.
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
‘Oku ‘ikai mahino pe ko e hā e lōloa e ta’u ‘e ngāue pōpula ai ‘a e ongo Lavulavu’ tukukehe ka ‘i ai ha tautea toloi. Ko e hia kuo na halaia ki ai ‘oku tautea ngāue pōpula kotoa ia. Ko e ma’u e pa’anga ‘i he founga kākaa’ ‘oku ngāue pōpula ‘ikai toe laka hake he ta’u ‘e nima. Ko e tautea lahi taha ki hano liliu kākaa’i ha fakamatala ko e ngāue pōpula ‘ikai toe laka hake he ta’u ‘e fitu. ‘Oku ‘atā e mafai ‘o e fakamaau lahi Nicholas Cooper ki he anga ‘ene fili ki he lahi ‘o e tautea ke hilifaki’. ‘A ia ‘oku ‘ikai mahino pe te ne tautea ke na ngāue’i taimi kehekehe’i ‘a e ngaahi hia kuo fai ai ‘a e halaia’ pe te ne hilifaki ke ngāue’i fakataha’i pe ‘i ha fo’i taimi pau. Pea ‘e malava foki ke fakasi’isi’i ha tautea ‘o Akosita he ko ‘ene toki halaia ‘eni ‘i he fakamaau’anga’. Ko ‘Etuate kuo pāte’i ia ‘i he fakamaau’anga’ kau ai ‘ene halaia ‘i he ta’u 2014 he’ene totongi fakafufū pea iku mole ai hono sea ‘i Fale Alea’. Pea ‘i hono tu’unga ko ia’ ‘e malava na’a fusi a’u ‘e he fakamāu’ hono tautea’. Kaekehe, kuo fakahā mai kuo fakahū atu e tangi ‘a e ongo me’a’ ni.
Samoa Prime Minister elect has approved the resignation of her Minister elect for the Environment and Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster after he was charged with drink driving offence on Tuesday last week.
The Prime Minister elect Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa announced that she has accepted Toeolesulusulu’s decision that was prompted by his respect for the rule of law and the protection of the integrity of the office, a press release said.
Fiamē said she respects Toeolesulusulu’s decision and based on the principle that the accused is innocent until proven guilty, he remains a Member of Parliament and that the member has the Party’s full support as he follows the process to clear his good name in the court of law.
Meanwhile, Tonga Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has come under fire after he announced he will not dismiss his convicted fraudster Infrastructure Minister Akosita Lavulavu and his convicted Ha’apai Governor Viliami Manuopangai Hingano.
The Supreme Court has found Akosita and her ousted husband former Cabinet Minister and MP Etuate Lavulavu guilty of defrauding $558,00 of government school funding grants.
‘Etuate, 62, and Akosita, 36, were charged with knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretenses, after irregularities in an audit of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016. Akosita was the director of the school while ‘Etuate was the president.
The couple are set to be sentenced on July 2.
Tu’i’onetoa told media yesterday that Akosita would stay in office until the 42-day appeal process was complete.
Tu’ionetoa again used the controversial Clause 23 of the constitution to defend his refusal to take immediate action against Akosita.
The Prime Minister told Kaniva News and other media in an e-mail that Clause 23 was re-enacted in 2013 and signed by the king to protect the right of the individuals, government clerks and senior officers who were accused and taken to court.
It was the same pathetic excuse he used to defend his refusal to take immediate action against the governor.
Tu’i’onetoa failed to mention that clause 51 of the constitution has given him an exclusive power to sack a Cabinet Minister at his pleasure whether they were innocent, convicted or at the centre of an allegation.
In convicting the governor last month after he was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of 198 kg of turtle meat , the Supreme Court judge said:
“Having heard the accused‘s background, he being a director in the Ministry of Public Enterprises, and he had been a member of Parliament representing District 12 of Ha’apai which included Lofanga, and having grown up and living in Ha’apai, I do not believe his evidence that he did not know that an approval was required before a turtle was killed”.
