Samoa’s Head of State has called for a second general election to bring an end to a deadlock in parliament.
The caretaker Human Rights Protection Party and the newcomer FAST party have been tied on 26 seats each since last month’s election.
In an address to the nation tonight, Head of State Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II called for the country to go to the polls again on 21 May.
Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II Photo: Samoa govt
He told Samoans it was the best way forward to resolve the political stalemate.
Tuimalealiifano had met with the leaders of the two parties this morning to announce his intentions.
But pre-empting the Head of State’s public announcement at a news conference this evening, FAST party leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa declared her displeasure.
“I was taken aback by such proposed action by the head of state who then asked me to respond to his proposed actions by this afternoon,” she said.
“In short I do not consider that the Head of State has the constitutional power to call new elections at this time.”
Fiame said caretaker prime minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi agreed with the Head of State’s proposal. His office has been approached for comment.
A FAST party challenge against the appointment of an additional women’s seat, which created the deadlock, will be heard in the Supreme Court tomorrow.
That decision was made by the electoral commissioner, and endorsed by the Head of State, to meet a constitutional provision requiring 10 percent of seats go to women. If this is upheld, an extra HRPP seat would be added to parliament.
Fiame said the court was likely to make a prompt decision. “Why would the Head of State not wait for that decision to come out before acting?” Fiame asked.
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tipi Autagavaia
Furthermore, she said that according to constitutional protocol the Head of State must call Parliament by the 45th day after the election before confirming a majority government or a deadlock.
“It is that specific time that the Head of State can confirm the swearing in of a new government or can confirm that no one and no party has the majority within the parliament,” Fiame said.
She said deciding to call fresh elections or not should be a final decision.
“The suggested course of action at this time for which he is clearly taking the advice of the caretaker prime minister is to pre-empt and undermine the decision of the Supreme Court,” she said.
“These proposed actions are wrong and unlawful it also threatens and undermines the rule of law,” Fiame said.
Police are appealing for the public’s assistance in our investigation into an incident where a man suffered critical injuries in Māngere.
The car involved in the incident. Photo credit: Police
At around 8.30pm on Wednesday 28 April, emergency services were called after a man fell from a moving vehicle on Robertson Road, near the intersection with Gadsby Road.
The vehicle involved did not stop after the incident occurred.
The man who fell, who is aged in his 20s, was taken to Auckland Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
The investigation team are aware of a number of witnesses who came to the victim’s aid immediately after the incident occurred.
Unfortunately, a number of these people did not remain at the scene and Police have been unable to speak with them.
Police urge any of those people to come forward.
From those witnesses who have been spoken to, we believe a light coloured van or people mover, possibly grey in colour, was involved in the incident.
Our enquiries are still in the early stages and Police are continuing to canvass for additional CCTV footage or witnesses.
At this point we believe the vehicle involved has travelled away from Enuamanu Road and in the direction towards Robertson Road.
We are releasing images of the light coloured vehicle believed to be involved.
Police would like to hear from anyone with information about the vehicle or those who were occupants at the time.
Information can be provided to Counties Manukau CIB on (09) 261 1321 or alternatively it can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The death of the Tongan human rights activist Polikalepo Kefu has prompted reactions and outpouring of tributes not just in Tonga, but also overseas.
The 41-year-old LGBT activist died unexpectedly on May 1 and a suspect has appeared in court yesterday charged with his alleged murder.
Here are reactions from major news media outlets around the world, advocates and headlines.
The Guardian
As The Guardian in the UK wrote, “Tributes have poured in from people across the region, praising Kefu’s advocacy, passion and warmth”.
“Tonga Police declined to comment on whether they suspected Kefu’s death was a hate crime”, it said.
Its headline read: “Outpouring of grief after alleged murder of leading Tongan LGBTQI activist”.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC’s Pacific Beat also covered Kefu’s death.
Its headline read: “Pacific LGBTQI community in shock after Tongan activist killed”
It also said: “Mr Kefu was involved in numerous community organisations and they have been leading tributes following his death UN Aids said in a statement Mr Kefu was a “strong human rights activist”.
“Especially for transwomen (Leitis) and in the HIV response in Tonga & the Pacific for many years.
He dedicated his life for the safety of others in Tonga, ” the organisation said in a statement”.
Radio New Zealand International
A headline by Radio New Zealand International said: Shock over death of prominent Tongan human rights activist.
It quoted a statement by the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diverse Network which said: “Poli is known to many of us in the region and globally as one of the passionate, critical, kick-ass, funny and a diehard human rights activist. With his charm and leadership, he touched so many lives and was an inspiration to us all.
“Your death will not be in vain Poli.”
United Nations
In a statement, UN AIDS Pacific talked about Kefu’s contributions as an activist, particularly his work around HIV response and education.
“Poli was a strong human rights activist in different fields especially for transwomen (Leitis) and in the HIV response in Tonga & the Pacific for many years,” said the UN AIDS Pacific in a statement.
In addition to his work for Tonga’s LGBTQI+ community, Kefu was also a staunch activist on the climate crisis.
ILGA
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association said in a statement: “Poli Kefu played a pivotal role in coordinating the Tongan Hub for our recent Human Rights and Law Reform Virtual Symposium held recently ( February) in Suva, Fiji. Poli was a humble gentle inspiring leader who displayed a proactive interaction with ILGA Oceania on its various projects and conferences.
“In the spirit of activism and friendship, we will miss you Poli for your pro-active, strong activism, your commitment and dedication to LGBTI issues and movement throughout the Kingdom of Tonga, the Pacific Islands and Oceania. ILGA Oceania will continue to stand up for human rights and social justice as we stand in solidarity against violence in all its form”.
UK Pink News
A headline by the UK Pink News, the brand for the global LGBT+ community and the next generation read: .
“Beloved, selfless’ Tongan LGBT+ activist found murdered on beach after ‘very violent attack”.
Tagata Pasifika
The New Zealand’s Tagata Pafisifika TV show’s headline on Kefu’s death read: “Community mourns sudden death of Polikalepo Kefu, President of Tonga Leitis Association”.
Raising Pacific Voices
The organization described itself on Facebook as a $2.3m euros in EU funded body which aimed at strengthening in a sustainable way civil society groups in the region.
Its message read: “Polikalepo Kefu (Poli Kefu), also simply known as Poli to many of us – was one who lived his life in service to all within the community in Tonga and the Pacific, and most especially to young people and those of the LGBTQI community.
The Raising Pacific Voices project (Oxfam in the Pacific) was honored to work with Poli, as a result of our work in Tonga – facilitating assessments of civil society organisations Disaster Risk Reduction preparedness and their Organisational capacity. Poli, although working for the Red Cross at the time and till his untimely passing – happily joined our workshop in October 2019 in his capacity as President of the Tonga Leitis’ Association”.
By One News / TVNZ (Fair Go) and is republished with permission
What do you do when you think you have done everything right but it’s still not enough to protect your property?
Shane and Odette Perry employed Jamie Hartnett to reroof their house. Source: Fair Go (screenshot)
That’s the unenviable position Shane and Odette Perry found themselves in last year when they fell prey to a dodgy local roofer.
The Temuka couple employed Jamie Hartnett to reroof their house – a gracious old homestead on the outskirts of town.
The Perry’s had scrimped and saved to buy the recognised 1904 Canterbury house and spent years lovingly restoring it.
But the house’s old decramastic tile roof was badly damaged in a freak hail storm that hit mid-Canterbury in late 2019.
Insurers AMI paid out and the Perry’s hired local roofer, Jamie Hartnett, from Ridgeline Roofing, to reroof their home.
First though, the cautious couple thoroughly checked out the roofer’s work.
They drove past homes he’d reroofed, checked out Hartnett’s credentials on MBIE’s register of licensed trade practitioners and took out special insurance with AMI in case anything went wrong.
“We’d watched a Fair Go programme previously about someone in exactly our position,” Odette says. “Where a roof was being replaced and the woman didn’t have works cover.”
As an additional precaution the Perry’s paid $800 for the additional cover.
The job hadn’t been underway very long when things started to go wrong. An unforeseen delay halted work for a month. When work re-started, Jamie Hartnett was not reliable – often failing to turn up or working 4-5 hour stints when he did.
Things really took a turn for the worse though when Shane Perry climbed up to do some painting around the eaves.
He and his wife had assumed that despite the holdup the work was progressing well.
Shane’s inspection turned up an unpleasant surprise and after an seeking expert opinion, the Perry’s followed advice and put a stop on the work.
A thorough investigation found a raft of issues wrong with the workmanship including :
– not enough support for the new roofing iron
– poor coverage of building paper needed to keep water out
– substandard edging
– badly attached guttering
– flashing was missing
Making matters even worse, the use of incorrect screws had irreparably damaged the new roofing iron, meaning the house would need to be re-roofed again!
Meantime, Jamie Hartnett didn’t respond to the Perry’s calls or texts and hasn’t been at their property since.
It was after this setback that the Perry’s received even more bad news.
They learned that Jamie Hartnett had been declared bankrupt in 2019 and that their AMI policy was not the safeguard they had thought it was.
The insurer initially refused to pay out on the Special Works Policy because the work was unfinished.
When Fair Go queried AMI’s position, the insurer claimed the policy did not cover faulty workmanship and the Perry’s had been made aware of that.
Fair Go has a copy of an email from Odette Perry specifically asking AMI: “Can we get insurance cover for when work is being done? After watching Fair Go we are aware of the importance of having extra cover while work is being carried out. The work will be carried out by a licensed roofer.”
It was after this that AMI issued the Special Works policy. Fair Go is aware of a number of phone calls between the Perry’s and AMI so the programme requested transcripts of the conversations in an attempt to find out why the Perry’s thought the re-roofing work would be covered when AMI clearly did not.
AMI initially agreed to release the transcripts to Fair Go but the documents have still not arrived. However, an inspection team from AMI did arrive at the Perry’s home to assess the roof and discuss the situation.
Sadly, Fair Go is not privy to anything further between the couple and AMI, but Odette Perry did email Fair Go offering a hint of positive news.
“Thank you again Fair Go, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and give a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved with helping us to move forward.”
Fair Go hopes that means that a warm dry winter is in store for the Temuka couple.
However, Fair Go regrets not being able to report the final outcome in detail so other consumers can avoid the stress endured by the Perry’s – who were, after all, simply a couple trying to do the right thing.
It has already been revealed that nine Customs workers have lost their jobs as a result of their decision to not receive the vaccine.
New figures provided to RNZ from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) showed 97.4 percent of the nearly 5000 people who work within MIQ have received the vaccine.
MBIE said of the 127 workers who had not yet been vaccinated, 23 were booked in to receive their first dose.
That leaves more than 104 workers. Fifteen of these were unable to be vaccinated for a health reason.
The statistics from MBIE showed:
57 have been redeployed
14 are on extended leave
3 are undertaking alternate working arrangements (i.e. working from home)
15 have been stood down to seek alternate employment
2 have resigned
13 undergoing termination process.
MBIE clarified that “stood down” means they have not yet been assigned to other tasks at another site, while the employer and employee works through the options: Redeployment, changing duties, taking leave, redundancy or termination.
As a result, the number of people who lose their jobs could more than double.
Why people are losing their jobs
The Health Order which made it mandatory for border workers to be vaccinated was not intended to put people out of jobs.
The Public Service Commission’s guidance to ministries is to offer redeployment, either within their agency or across the public service as a whole, or to provide paid special leave.
An MIQ spokesperson said redundancy was the last option and that, when that option was the only one left, proper processes were being followed.
“We have been actively engaging with the Ministry of Social Development so that employers are in place to provide support to any staff who may not be able to continue their work in a managed isolation and/or quarantine facility beyond 1 May,” they said.
But not all of the nearly 5000 people who work in MIQ facilities are government employees.
They are also hotel staff, or staff employed by contractors, such as cleaners or security guards.
Issues around redeployment or termination are therefore an issue for the respective employer, and not solely for MBIE.
National Secretary of Unite Union which represents hotel workers, John Crocker, said it could be a lot harder for private companies, maybe individual hotels, to redeploy their staff.
He wanted to see the government intervene.
“We’re asking them to step up. They have a lot of internal redeployment processes [and] I’m sure they have got plenty of vacancies – they’re the government, they’re a huge employer,” Crocker said.
“So we just need to make sure that they’re coming to the table with some help for these workers who can’t get vaccinated, and it needs to be timely, and these workers need to be looked after in the interim as well.”
The figures from MBIE did not specify how many of those not vaccinated or of those losing their jobs were government employees and how many were staff of contractors or hotels.
It also did not specify if any of the 13 who had lost their jobs were unvaccinated because of health reasons.
Other agencies also busy redeploying
MBIE are not the only government agency to have employed people working at the border.
Also involved are Customs, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), and the Civil Aviation Association (CAA).
Other than the nine Customs staff who have been fired, there have been no more terminations.
Statistics provided to RNZ from MPI showed of the 553 front line staff working at the border, 34 were unable to be vaccinated for a variety of reasons.
But Deputy Director General in charge of MPI Covid response Vince Arbuckle said none had been terminated as a result of not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
“The health and safety of our people is central to how we operate,” Arbuckle said.
“A small number of our front line staff, who cannot be vaccinated for a variety of reasons, have been redeployed to alternative duties away from the front line.”
Meanwhile, the CAA said its on-airport based staff were not subject to the health order.
However, it stated that 100 percent of their staff working in MIQ had been vaccinated, and none had their employment terminated.
The CAA was working on its policy for how to respond when staff were unable to be vaccinated.
“They feel that they had no other option to get the vaccine otherwise they would have their employment terminated,” Fechney said.
“I know there are a lot of other agencies out there trying to say that they’ve done this perfectly and everyone’s vaccinated.
“But you’ve got to ask yourself, how many of those people actually begrudgingly did it? Irrespective of your views on whether someone should or shouldn’t get vaccinated, was that done in good faith?”
Police have charged a 27-year-old man from Fungamisi Vavaú, residing at Halaleva, with murder in relation to the death of 41-year-old Polikalepo Kefu of Lapaha.
Polikalepo Kefu. Photo/Facebook
Kefu died on Saturday 1 May 2021 before his body was allegedly found on a beach near Tatakamotonga.
The accused surrendered himself to Police last Saturday night and is remanded in custody to appear at the Magistrate Court today.
Police are warning people saying there were unverified information on social media about the person responsible for Kefu’s alleged murder.
“That information is inaccurate and we ask the public to respect Mr. Kefu’s family during this difficult time,” Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said.
“This is a tragic event, and our thoughts are with Mr. Kefu’s family, friends and wider community. Police investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding this case”.
As we reported over the weekend, Kefu worked as a communication advisor for the Tonga Red Cross. He was also the president of the Tonga Leitis Association and was known to many from all walks of life.
The organisation has reported his death on social media.
“Wake up this morning to this unexpected news of your departure from this Realm,” it said.
“May your soul rest well Poli Kefu”.
He was described as a strong activist in many fields of activity, a long serving activist of the local LGBTQI community and a human rights activist whose work was prominent across the Pacific.
He was a “powerful Human Right activist and been in the Humanitarian Response unit for so many years.”
“He dedicated his life for the safety of others in Tonga. He is well known by many in Tonga and also internationally and globally of his involving in many fields related to his work”.
“We salute you from Tonga Leitis Association and all its members for your humble and kind heart that you contributed to the Association”
By One News / TVNZ and is republished with permission
Former Warriors and Kiwis rugby league star Manu Vatuvei has outed himself as the sports star facing drug charges.
The former Kiwis and Warriors star took to Instagram tonight to reveal he is the high-profile sportsman facing meth charges. Source: Instagram/Manu Vatuvei
“In 2019, I was charged with importation, possession and supply of methamphetamine,” he said.
“All these charges are accusations and I’ll be fighting [for] my innocence for all these charges.”
Vatuvei acknowledged there would have questions but said his legal team had advised him that that was the only public comment he could make.
Last week, Vatuvei had his bid for suppression declined in the High Court, with 1 NEWS unable to name him prior to his Instagram video because of a continuing suppression that allowed him time to appeal.
Vatuvei faces three charges of importing methamphetamine, three charges of possessing for supply and one charge of supply. He first appeared in court in in November 2019.
He has previously pleaded not guilty.
After charges were laid, police said the arrests came after a joint Police and Customs operation delving into methamphetamine supply.
A search warrant was executed at a Papatoetoe address.
The maximum penalty for possessing methamphetamine for supply is a life sentence.
The dates of his alleged offending come not long after Vatuvei was formally farewelled from rugby league in July 2019.
The Warriors and Kiwi great, who was affectionately known as ‘The Beast’, scored a club-record 152 tries in 226 appearances for the Warriors.
He scored 22 tries for the Kiwis in 29 Tests.
He later turned for a time to a career in real estate after winning a season of Dancing with the Stars.
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
Kuo fakahā ‘e Manu Vatuvei ko e fetu’u hopo ia ‘i he mala’eva’inga ‘akapulu ko ia ‘a e tokotaha ne tapui hono hingoa ke fakahā ‘e he mitia hili e tukuaki’i kuo ‘i ai ‘a e tokotaha sipoti ‘iloa na’a’ ne hū mai, tauhi mo tufaki ‘a e faito’o konatapu ‘i he 2019. Ka ne ma’u ‘e he kau polisi’ ‘a e hia ko ‘eni’ hili ha’anau ngāue vāofi mo e kasitomu’ ‘o ‘ohofi mo hua ha ‘api ‘i Papatoetoe. Pehē ‘e Vatuvei’ ko e tukuaki’i pe ‘eni pea te ne fuhu’i ‘ene totonu he fakamaau’anga’.
Police have confirmed they are now treating the death of Polikalepo Kefu last week as a homicide.
Polikalepo Kefu. Photo/Facebook (cropped)
A press release will be released tomorrow morning, Acting Police Superintendent Tevita Vailea told Kaniva News this evening.
He has refuted social media speculation regarding Kefu’s death as wrong but he did not provide any details about it.
As we reported yesterday, unconfirmed reports claimed his body was found in a beach in Tatakamotonga.
Kefu worked as a communication advisor for the Tonga Red Cross. He was also the president of the Tonga Leitis Association and was known to many from all walks of life.
The organisation has reported his death on social media.
“Wake up this morning to this unexpected news of your departure from this Realm,” it said.
“May your soul rest well Poli Kefu”.
It described Kefu as a strong activist in many fields of activity.
He was a “powerful Human Right activist and been in the Humanitarian Response unit for so many years.”
“He dedicated his life for the safety of others in Tonga. He is well known by many in Tonga and also internationally and globally of his involving in many fields related to his work”.
“We salute you from Tonga Leitis Association and all its members for your humble and kind heart that you contributed to the Association”.
Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’ionetoa has yet to reply to a question from Kaniva News asking him to identify the ‘Etuate to whom he sent our questions for a response.
‘Etuate Lavulavu (Left) and Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa
The queries were made after the Prime Minister appeared to have mistakenly sent to us an e-mail he intended to send to a person called Etuate, presumably for ‘Etuate to answer Kaniva’s queries.
The apparent mishap came after Kaniva News editor Kalino Latu asked the Prime Minister to comment after the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed the dismissal of the Tonga National Rugby League from the IRL.
We also asked him in a separate e-mail to comment after the Ministry of Transport issued a fake driving licence to a handicapped man, allowing him to drive on the road. A court case which was reported by Kaniva News recently revealed that he had killed a 76-year-old woman in Tongatapu.
Not long after the latter was sent Mr Latu received an e-mail from Hon Tu’i’onetoa, which read:
“ ‘Etuate,
Ko e toe Kalino aipe.
PM”
This translates into English as:
‘Etuate,
It’s Kalino again.
PM”
Mr Latu responded to the e-mail and asked Hon. Tu’ionetoa to identify ‘Etuate’s identity, but he did not reply.
Tu’i’onetoa later replied to our question about the fake driving licence, but his response was vague, something we have not been used to in his previous replies.
We re-sent him two of the questions about the fake driving licence asking his response and are awaiting a reply.
He was told Kaniva News would run a story on his email to ‘Etuate.
‘Etuate Lavulavu offensive
We contacted ‘Etuate Lavulavu and asked him whether he was the person the Prime Minister contacted.
Lavulavu, who was no stranger to courts, controversy or convictions did not deny it. Instead he was evasive, swearing and said there were many people called ‘Etuate.
In his response he said: “It can be Etuate Hafoka, Etuate Manuefetoa, Etuate Uata, Etuate Tuionetoa, Etuate Havea, Etuate Kuila, Etuate Kavenga, Etuate Taukolo, Etuate Hopoi , Etuate Cocker, Etuate Tupou, Etuate Tutoe, Etuate Fakaleiti, Etuate Taufalele, Etuate Taemali, Etuate Ta’e’iloa, Etuate Afeaki and just like many ‘Etuate there were also uu-etuate and uu-sione”.
The phrase uu-sione with which Lavulavu ended his list of names is known in Tongan as kapekape fakapoto or a calculated making up swearing words. It’s a mixture of the swear word ‘us_ and the name Sione to make it sounds he was referring to the plural form of name Sione by adding the sign of plural form word ‘ū at the front of the name, but the speaker’s intention was clearly swearing.
Mr Latu replied to ‘Etuate and told him it appeared that the one ‘Etuate missing from his list was himself.
In response, Lavulavu warned us that it was an offence in Tonga to bully somebody on the internet.
PM Office said Lavulavu was not a staff member
He accused Kaniva of defaming him, but failed to tell us which article on Kaniva that has allegedly defamed him.
Lavulavu, who is currently facing two separate fraud charges in the Supreme and Magistrate Courts, said his lawyer would write to us yesterday.
Kaniva advised Lavulavu to seek a professional media adviser to help him as his accusation against us was baseless.
Lavulavu also sent government advertising to Kaniva news and told us to publish it. When we sent the invoice to the Prime Minister’s office they asked us to remove the advertisement and said Lavulavu was not a staff of the Prime Minister’s office.
Prime Minister’s handwritten response
The Prime Minister is mostly seen in his interviews and radio talk shows reading his responses from typed out or handwritten documents.
Many of the Prime Minister’s critics, including Opposition Party, claimed somebody else composed the typed out documents.
It appears that he has difficulties in spontaneously answering questions from the media.
When Tu’i’onetoa was elected Prime Minister he was reported to have told local media that Lavulavu was his media advisor, something he later denied.
However, critics were skeptical about the denial after Lavulavu was later seen speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet at official events.
Lavulavu implied he engineered the Tonga People’s Party victory during the premiership election in 2019 and became widely known to the public as ‘engineer.’
Hon. Tu’i’onetoa was the chair of the Party while Lavulavu was the Deputy Chairman.
Controversial backgrounds
In 2003 Lavulavu apologised to the House after an altercation in which he swore at the late Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.
In the same year, Lavulavu was arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah after he arrived from Tonga and charged with falsifying immigration papers for Tongans to become American citizens as part of a scam carried out with his brother in 1997. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal use of a birth certificate, but only had to pay costs.
In 2004 he began referring to himself as “professor” and said he had a doctorate from an American institution, which turned out to be a notorious “mail order” university which essentially sells degrees.
The Director of Education said at the time that the Ministry did not recognise his “professorship.”
In 2016 Tonga’s Supreme Court convicted him of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign.
The judge said Lavulavu was not a credible witness and that his evidence was implausible, evasive and untruthful.
As a result of his conviction he was kicked out of Parliament. His wife Akosita won the by-election in his electorate.
In a case in 2000, Lavulavu was sued by the Late Prince Tu’ipelehake for damages and unlawful cultivation of his land. In his summing up of the trial, Lord Chief Justice Ward said Lavulavu “was willing to say almost anything that seemed to suit the moment with a repeated disregard for the truth.”
Last year the Supreme Court ordered his wife ‘Akosita, a Cabinet Minister, to pay the plaintiffs’ costs after Lord Chief Justice Whitten quashed her decision to deny whale watching and swimming licences.
Mr Whitten said her decisions were infected by errors of law.
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
Kuo toe fai e anga ‘o ‘Etuate Lavulavu me’a ko e lea kapekape ki he kakai’. Ko ‘ene kape fakapoto ‘eni ki he ‘Etita ‘o e Kaniva Tonga’ hono ‘eke atu pe ko ia ‘oku’ ne tali mai e fehu’i ne ‘imeili ki he Palēmia’. ‘Ikai ke ne faka’ikai’i kae fakaloea mai ia mo kape mai. Ko ‘ene lau mai ‘eni hili e tohi kole ia ‘a e Kaniva’ ki he ‘Eiki Palēmia’ Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa ke ‘omi ha’ane lau ki he keisi ‘e ua. Ko e taha ko hono fakapapau’i mai ‘e he Fakamaau’anga Fakavaha’apule’anga ki he sipoti hono tuli ‘e he IRL ‘a e Tonga National Rugby League pea ua ke ne fakamahino mai pe ko e hā e me’a ‘a e pule’anga’ kuo fai ki he tokotaha pe ni’ihi ne nau foaki ha laiseni loi ki ha taha mamatea mo ‘ikai matu’otu’a ‘ene fakakaukau’ ke faka’uli. Ne iku ‘o tamate’i ‘e he tokotaha faka’uli ko ‘eni ha fa’ē ta’u 76 ‘i Hahake he ta’u kuo ‘osi. Ka ne faka’ohovale ‘a e hū mai e ‘imeili mei he palēmia’ ‘o ‘ikai ko ha tali ki he fehu’i ‘a e Kaniva’ ka ko e ‘īmeili ia ki he tokotaha ko ‘Etuate. ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e tui ne fehalaaki ‘ene ‘ave ‘ene ‘imeili kia ‘Etuate ‘o ne li mai ‘e ia ki he Kaniva’. Na’e ‘eke atu leve ki ai pe ko hai ‘a ‘Etuate ‘oku toe ‘ave ki ai ‘a e fehu’i ‘a e Kaniva’ hangē ko ha’ane ‘uhinga ke tali mai ‘e ‘Etuate ‘emau fehu’i. Ka kuo te’eki tali mai ‘e he palēmia’ ‘a e fehu’i ko ia. Na’e ‘eke leva kia Lavulavu pe ko e ‘uhinga ‘a e PM ki ai’ ko e tali ‘eni ‘a e ‘Etuate. “’E malava pe ko Etuate Hafoka, Etuate Manuefetoa, Etuate Uata, Etuate Tuionetoa, Etuate Havea, Etuate Kuila, Etuate Kavenga, Etuate Taukolo, Etuate Hopoi , Etuate Cocker, Etuate Tupou, Etuate Tutoe, Etuate Fakaleiti, Etuate Taufalele, Etuate Taemali, mo Etuate Ta’e’iloa, mo Etuate Afeaki pea hange ko e lahi e uu-etuate mo e uu-sione”. ‘Oku mahino ngofua ‘ene kape ‘oku ngāue’aki mai ‘e lea ko e uu-sione’. Na’e tali’i atu ‘e he ‘ētita ‘ene kape mai ‘o pehe atu ‘oku ‘ikai ‘asi mai ‘i he ngaahi ‘Etuate ko ‘eni kuo’ ne ‘omai’ ‘a e ‘Etuate loi mo kākā ne halaia he fakamaau’anga ‘i ‘Amelika mo Tonga’. Ka ne tohi mai ‘a Lavulavu ‘o fakatokanga ‘oku tapu he lao ‘a Tonga ke fakamamahi’i ‘e taha ha taha. Na’e tali atu ‘o fakahā ki ai ko ia ne ne fuofua fai ‘a e fakamamahi (abuse) he fe’imeili’aki’ ‘o ‘uhinga ki he’ene kape fakapoto’. Ne fai mo ‘ene fakamanamana mo fakamatala loi tokua ‘oku mau lau’ikovi’i ia pea ‘e tohi mai ‘ene loea. Ne fakahā atu ki ai ke ‘alu fai ‘ene fakamanamana ki ha kau leka. Ne ‘ikai te ne tala mai ko fe ‘emau ongoongo ‘oku lau’i kovi’i ai ia. ‘Oku mahu’inga ke lea mo’oni e palemia ‘o tala ki he fonua ko hai ‘a e kakai ‘oku ne ngāue’aki ke tali e fehu’i ‘oku ‘oatu ki ai he kapau ko e ‘ātunga ē he ta ko e faka’ulia hono lohiaki’i e fonua’. ‘I he 2003 ne tu’utu’uni ke kole fakamolemole ai ‘a Lavulavu ‘i Fale Alea hili ‘ene kapekape kia ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.
By Lice Movono, RNZ Pacific correspondent in Suva. This story is republished with permission
Fiji’s government has taken the most drastic measures since Covid-19 hit the country in March last year.
Most of the country is on lockdown from 8pm tonight to 4am on Monday local time.
This comes amid a new Covid-19 case confirmed by the Health Ministry, taking the total number of active cases to 50, with 29 transmitted locally.
Points in and out of Suva are blocked by police Photo: Fiji police
The authorities have escalated the measures with no businesses allowed to operate for a 56-hour period.
Containment measures have also been stepped around the capital Suva in a rush to trace the Indian variant of Covid-19.
The Health Ministry tonight ordered everyone indoors from 8pm amid concerns the B16-17 variant has spread through the community.
Fiji now has had 117 Covid-19 cases, 65 recovered and two deaths reported.
The ministry has warned that a 52-year-old woman from Nausori Town who tested positive over the past 48 hours may have exposed 887 garment factory employees to the virus.
Parallel to that, Health Secretary Dr James Fong told a media conference there are concerns of a further spread of Covid-19 from a returning Fiji citizen who had tested negative before interacting with quarantine personnel before travelling extensively through Suva.
Fong said the man had been cleared of the virus but was recalled to quarantine following fears he may have contracted the virus from soldiers at the facility who had fraternized with others while in isolation.
Meanwhile, Fong confirmed a new case – she is the wife of a man from the province of Ra which is now also on lockdown.
The source of this couple’s infection is not yet linked to current cases which began when a soldier at a quarantine facility contracted the virus between April 10-12 from two Fijians who returned from India.
While announcing the lockdown, Fong said the measures were escalated after they tested more than 1,000 Fijians overnight and found another positive person.
“We have some urgent developments to cover that require immediate changes to our containment strategy,” Fong said.
“Our contact tracing stemming from case number 113 — the garment factory worker – is in full-swing. There are two factories we are focussed on.”
Health checks are ongoing in Fiji in an effort to combat Covid-19. Photo: Facebook / Fiji government
Fong said one of the factories is Lyndhurst, the factory in which the woman worked. The other is the Mark One Apparel factory.
“Employees at these factories travel to and from work on the same company-provided transportation, so we are treating both of these factories as potential source points of further transmission.”
Following an overnight screening effort, the government still needed to test hundreds of factory employees.
Dr Fong said there was no more time to waste in locating the rest of those exposed in the factories and so asides from emergency medical trips, no movement was allowed.
“To allow my teams to find these Fijians quickly, we will be locking down the Suva and Nausori Containment zones from 2000 hours tonight until 0400 hours Monday morning.
“No one should leave their homes. I’ll say that again, within the lockdown zone, no one, not parents, not breadwinners, not children, no one should leave their homes.
“The Police will be enforcing that movement restriction.”
Given it’s short notice of the lockdown, announced with only 30 minutes before it was enforced, the government organised food packs to be delivered to those who needed it.
“If you live in the lockdown area and need to access this emergency food supply, you can call toll-free number 161 from 9am tomorrow morning. Please be patient, your calls will be answered.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has since sent specimens to Melbourne to determine the origin of the cluster in the Ra province it has not been able to link to the B16-17 cluster.
The ministry said it would review the lockdown on Sunday.
Fiji now has had 117 Covid-19 cases, 50 active of which 29 are locally-transmitted, 65 recovered and two deaths reported.
The 41-year-old LGBT activist died unexpectedly on May 1 and a suspect has appeared in court yesterday charged with his alleged murder.
