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Sēmisi Sika: Infrastructure Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu should ‘volunteer to resign’ ahead of her two separate fraud trials

By
Kalino Latu
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The Minister of Infrastructure ‘Akosita Lavulavu should step down ahead of her two separate fraud cases due next week and next month, said PTOA Leader Sēmisi Sika.

(L-R) Sēmisi Sika, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, ‘Akosita Lavulavu

“She should volunteer to resign,” Sika said.

Sika said ‘Akosita should quit to keep the “dignity of the Cabinet”.

“Obviously, she is there looking for job.”

“If somebody holds an important position and has court cases in which they had been accused of committing fraud and forgery they should resign immediately,” he said.

‘Akosita was contacted for comment.

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The Minister along with her disgraced husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu are due to appear in a Magistrate Court next Monday 29 March 2021 to face a lawsuit brought against them by a landlord in Vava’u.

In that case, Sione Tui of Ha’alaufuli accused the Lavulavus of creating and signing a letter on his behalf to the Ministry of Lands and Survey without him knowing about it. The Lavulavus denied this.

In April 12, two weeks after their Magistrate Court appearance, the Lavulavus are due to appear at the Supreme Court to answer charges brought against them by the Auditor General.

In that case, the Lavulavu couple is 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 holds positions in the Prime Minister Tu’ionetoa’s Cabinet and People’s Party which are regarded as highly influential.

‘Etuate and Tu’i’onetoa were founding members of the Party before Tu’i’onetoa was appointed as Party Chair and ‘Etuate was Deputy Chair.

The right-hand woman

Following her arrest in March 2018 the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva dismissed ‘Akosita.

It was reported that her dismissal came after the Prime Minister tried to convince her to resign voluntarily from Cabinet because of her criminal charges but she refused. She was later reappointed as Cabinet Minister by the Tu’i’onetoa government in 2019.

‘Akosita’s infrastructure ministerial roles puts her in a position in which she has been seen as the Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa’s right-hand woman.

She is the minister who oversees the Prime Minister’s controversial multi-million new road project.

It was estimated that once the project is completed in four years’ time since it began last year it costs taxpayers $300 million.

Critics believe such a big project for a small country like Tonga should have been given more times to be discussed and planned on national level.

Conflict of interest 

Not only we have reported that there was a conflict of interest surrounding the awards of the project’s contract works to companies with strong links to the Tu’i’onetoa government, the government has stopped one of its contractors from New Zealand saying there was an issue with its contract agreement. It was the same contractor which failed to pay about more than $100,000 freight debts to a New Zealand based-Tongan freight company which we reported in December.

Sika, a former Minster of Infrastructure previously criticised the project saying it opened a door for the country to face a possible financial crisis.

As Kaniva News reported recently, heavy rain and flooding have destroyed most of the newly constructed roads in Vava’u and part of Tongatapu. This means more money was needed from the taxpayers’ coffers to reconstruct these roads. Meanwhile, most parts of the kingdom have yet to have their roads repaired or constructed.

Concerns about contractors’ background

As we said previously,  there is no doubt most Tongans want the road project and see it as a priority. However, they are deeply concerned about the background of the people who have strong links with government and these contractors.

‘Etuate’s company the Inter Pacific was one of the contractors the Tu’i’onetoa government has awarded with a contract to supply rocks and construction services under the Prime Minister’s road project.

‘Etuate previously denied any involvement with any activities which link him to the road project’s contracts.

But it has been recently reported by local media that ‘Etuate was the CEO of his company overseeing the road works currently conducting in Vava’u.

He has been regarded as the mouth piece of the Prime Minister and he has his own newspaper the Kalonikali Tonga and a radio station FM 89.5 in which he attacked the opposition and the government’s critics.

‘Etuate’s past

In 2016 Tonga’s Supreme Court convicted ‘Etuate of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign. He was later dismissed from his Parliamentary and ministerial posts.

The judge said ‘Etuate was not a credible witness and that his evidence was implausible, evasive and untruthful.

‘Etuate was also arrested in Utah in the United States in October 2003 over a 1997 immigration scam. In 2004 he was convicted after pleading guilty to two counts of illegal use of a birth certificate.

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.”

Tonga’s prisons can’t cope with drug crime surge

By
Kaniva Staff
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This story by RNZ.co.nz is republished with permission

Authorities say Tonga needs two more prisons and many more psychiatric beds to cope with offenders.

Huʻatolitoli Prison and Correctional Facility

RNZ Pacific correspondent in Nuku’alofa, Kalafi Moala, said this was the view of the Commissioner of Prisons, Semisi Tapueluelu.

He said the issue of psychologically-disturbed prisoners had soared as the country battled a surge in drug offences.

A newly established psych unit at the Hu’atolitoli Prison already had 14 inmates. The unit was built for a maximum capacity of eight people.

Tapueluelu said there were many others who needed the services.

Kalafi Moala said there was a corresponding surge in the number of convictions being suspended by the courts.

“There have been so many court cases, particularly of people tried for drug use and their sentences get suspended and of course we asked the reason ‘Why are these sentences suspended’ and the Superintendent of the Prisons [Semisi Tapueluelu] gave the answer is because they don’t have any room to take in new prisoners.”

Over the years mental health officials in Tonga have drawn attention to the need for more facilities.

The local Mental Health and Disabilities Association said in the past that close to 10 percent of Tongans suffer from mental illness, yet the government had not always provided the necessary support.

Earlier Tonga’s head psychiatrist, Mapa Puloka, said the sector was in dire need of attention with some psychiatric patients sleeping on hospital floors or not in official facilities at all.

He also pointed to a growing drug problem and a lack of help for addicts.

Man gets five years’ jail for housebreaking, theft; fully suspended sentence for meth possession

By
Kaniva Staff
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The man charged after $32,000 worth of goods stolen from ‘Ana Kama’s house on 19 February 2019 has been sent to jail.

On the charge of serious housebreaking, Lafitani Mahe was convicted and sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment.

On the charge of theft,  he was convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Both sentences were to be served concurrently.

On the charge of possession of a Class A drug he was convicted and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. The sentence is fully suspended on conditions.

The court heard, ‘Ana Kama returned home and discovered that some louvers from a window at her house had been removed.

Upon inspection of her house, she discovered the following items were missing:

  • 1 x 40 ft Fihu loua valued at TOP $4000;
  • 4 x 15 ft Paongo mat valued at TOP$4000;
  • 5x 8’5ft, 1×6’4 & 3×4’3, 2x Ngafingafi mats valued at TOP$20,000;
  • 1x20ft Tapa valued at $2000
  • 2xBluetooth speakers valued at TOP$500;
  • 1 !phone valued at TOP$500;
  • 1 Ipad valued at TOP$500
  • Cash of $500; 8.

She notified police who were able to successfully lift a fingerprint from the louvers that were removed.

On 20 February 2019, ‘Ana’s son found the stolen bluetooth speakers on Facebook being advertised for sale by a man identified as Viliami Ongosia.

Mr. Ongosia told Police Mahe had approached him that day and asked him to advertise the speakers online for sale.

Mahe was then arrested and charged with housebreaking and theft. Police fingerprint expert analysed the fingerprint found on the louvers and confirmed that they belonged to Mahe.  Apart from the speakers, none of the items that were stolen were ever recovered.

Mahe did not cooperate with the Police and he has previous convictions.

Drug arrest

On 8 July 2019, Police received reliable information of potential drug dealing at the residence of Talia’uli Fatongiatau at Pili.

At approximately 5pm, the police went to the resident and saw Mahe sitting inside a car with Fatongiatau and Ue’ikaetau Tapa’atoutai. When Mahe saw the police he ran and Officer Vaka chased after him before he stopped and returned back to where the Police were standing.

Officer Vaka walked to the area where Mahe had stopped running and found a plastic packet containing four small packets of methamphetamine. Mahe admitted to the Police that the drugs were his. The drugs weighed 1.4 grams. He has previous convictions.

Justice Langi sent Mahe to jail on his drug charge for 12 months, which was wholly suspended on conditions that he is  not to commit any further offences punishable by imprisonment for a period of 1 year upon his release and be placed on probation during the period of his suspension.

Mrs Langi also activated the suspended sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment imposed on 5 December 2018 to be served cumulative to his sentence on house breaking and theft.

“If my calculation is correct, the Accused will therefore serve a total of 5 years and 6 months’ imprisonment,” Justice Langi said.

“As requested by the Crown, I order that the drugs seized are destroyed and all items associated with drugs such as the weighing apparatus and plastic packs and cash are forfeited to the Crown.”

Migrant says unjustified benefit refusals and delays keeping numbers down

By
Kaniva Staff
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Gill Bonnett, Immigration Reporter of RNZ.co.nz. This story is republished with permission

A migrant who was refused government support when he lost his job says unjustified rejections and delays are being used to keep benefit-application numbers low.

05072016 Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King. Ministry of Social Development on Willis Street in Wellington.
The migrant is pursuing an appeal with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) against the Work and Income decision on a point of principle. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Fewer than 600 migrants received a Work and Income benefit in the three months after it was introduced, compared with almost 11,000 under a scheme run for five months last year by Internal Affairs (DIA) and the Red Cross.

The government announced in November that migrant workers who had lost their jobs because of the pandemic – as well as student and visitor visa holders who were facing financial hardship and could not get home – could apply for the emergency benefit.

Government figures show about four in 10 people’s requests for help under that programme and the DIA/Red Cross Manaaki Manuhiri scheme were rejected.

A migrant, who asked not to be named, lost his hospitality job in August and was twice supported under Manaaki Manuhiri.

But that changed when he applied for a final month’s support, and he said DIA staff became “vitriolic” when he challenged the reason.

He was then refused Work and Income’s emergency benefit, which began in December, while he waited for his new job to start.

It was only after he insisted on a reconsideration of his case with senior staff and an MP that the DIA decline decision was overturned.

He has since started his new job, but is pursuing an appeal with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) against the Work and Income decision on a point of principle.

Emergency benefit - immigration dole. To go with Gill's copy
An image of the letter from MSD. Photo: Supplied

“I was supposed to receive a review process, which was supposed to go through a review committee,” he said. “This was back in January, I’ve gotten no follow-up, I’ve been calling every other day. It’s become like a battle of attrition, to eventually make this process so delayed, that you just give up on asking for the benefit in the first place.

“What I find galling is they didn’t give me a reason to disqualify me. There isn’t any reason for any entity who has government funding and authorisation to not render emergency benefit for those migrants who qualify. People are probably being discouraged, not to apply.”

He supplied a letter, which said “because you do not meet the qualifications for this benefit you don’t qualify for this benefit”.

He believes others will have been wrongly refused help, and that the reason behind it is to keep the numbers low.

“How many of these people are not able to defend themselves, how many are not getting the help that they need, and it’s not safe to go back to Bangladesh, India, all the rest of it. That team of five million had a lot of ‘us’ involved, and we are proud that we got our new home back to safety.

“We will continue to work hard, and want to take care of our own, just like you do. In that five million were foreigners: some ‘others’ that were among you. It is time to reflect that reality with a more fair and open approach by the social development department and the powers that be.”

In December, January and February, 579 applications for emergency benefit by temporary visa holders were granted.

That compares to 10,855 applications granted in the five months from 1 July until 30 November 2020 under the DIA/ Red Cross/Manaaki Manuhiri scheme.

‘Lower than expected’ up-take

DIA said it was proud to have helped more than 12,700 people. “We were committed to ensuring those eligible and most in need received assistance and that those who didn’t meet the eligibility requirements were provided with information and resources for other avenues of support.”

In a statement to RNZ, the Ministry of Social Development said it could provide comment on the migrant’s case, if he gave permission through a privacy waiver.

Some reasons why benefits could be refused were if visa holders were able to return home or had enough money to support themselves.

“Lower-than-expected take up could be due to a range of factors, such as Emergency Benefit being a relatively low level of support compared to the greater range of costs covered through the joint programme between the Department of Internal Affairs and the New Zealand Red Cross,” MSD’s client service delivery manager, Kay Read.

“Other possible factors for lower than expected take up could include: lower level of need than anticipated, different contexts of support, and improvements in seasonal work opportunities in the summer months.”

She added that recognised seasonal employer workers accounted for almost half of applicants under the programme.

The statement also announced that the benefit had been extended until 31 August. “Those receiving the Emergency Benefit for temporary visa holders prior to 17 February 2021 and require ongoing payments, do need to visit a Work and Income service centre for a face to face appointment.”

Second heavy truck carrying rocks for gov’t road construction works crashes into property fence

By
Kalino Latu
-

A heavy truck carrying rocks smashed into a church minister’s residence in Houma this afternoon.

Another heavy truck arrived at the scene to tow the truck which crashed into the fence. Photo/Supplied

The truck which belongs to one of the contractors which conducted road works under the Prime Minister’s multimillion road project crashed right into a billboard before it damaged the Free Wesleyan Church residence’s stone fence.

An eyewitness told Kaniva News there were no injuries.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Another vehicle from the company was seen arriving at the scene to tow the truck.

The crash came after about a month when a truck carrying rocks, which appears to be from the same company, has gone off the road and crashed into a fence before it landed in a front yard in Ha’alalo.

Man selling illicit drugs from truck in Kahoua given suspended sentence, 50 hours community work

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Samiu Fifita pleaded guilty to the charge that on or about 23 June 2020, at Sia’atoutai he knowingly possessed without lawful excuse, 0.16 gram of methamphetamine.

Police received information that Fifita was supplying or selling drugs at Kahoua from a red truck he was using.

The police drove to Kahoua in two vehicles via Sia’atoutai. At Sia’atoutai, they met the drug dealer driving the red truck and they stopped him.

Sniffer dogs were used before they found something inside the storage compartment of the vehicle. When Police officers opened it, they found $760.20 in cash inside. Fifita  told the police that his wife had given him that money to buy pig feed for their piggery.

The dog also sniffed something in a small child’s shoe by the handbrake. The police found $2.00 and one pack of methamphetamine in it.

“You told the police you did not know whose pack it was but that the little shoe was your son’s.”

“The police also found two scales under the driver’s seat and you told the police that you used the scales for weighing the pig feed.

“The methamphetamine was weighed and was found to be 0.16 gram an it was analysed and was confirmed to be methamphetamine.”

His judgement statement said methamphetamine is a class A drug under the Act and says  the sentence (a) for a class A drug less than 1 gram in weight, the sentence is a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.

For the offence of possessing 0.16 gm methamphetamine Justice Laki Niu sentenced Fifita to nine months imprisonment but that sentence is fully suspended for three years from March 15  upon condition that he would not commit an offence punishable by imprisonment within the period of suspension .

“You must attend and complete the Salvation Army course on drug and alcohol awareness as the Probation Officer shall arrange for you,” the judgement said.

“You must serve 50 hours of community work which the Probation Officer shall arrange for you.

“You must report to the Probation Officer with a copy of this sentencing immediately after you leave this Court this morning to make the necessary arrangements for the work and course I have ordered.

“The police shall forthwith with destroy the 0.16 of methamphetamine in respect of this offence. (f) The police may make application for forfeiture of the $760.20 under the Proceeds of Crimes Act. If they do not wish to apply, they shall return that money to you, the accused.”

NZ reaction as international spectators barred from Olympics

By
Kaniva Staff
-

International spectators will not be allowed to enter Japan for this year’s Olympic Games amid public concerns over coronavirus, organisers said on Saturday, setting the stage for a drastically scaled-back event.

Some 600,000 Olympic tickets purchased by overseas residents will be refunded, as will another 300,000 Paralympic tickets, Toshiro Muto, the chief executive of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee told a news conference.

He declined to say how much the refunds would cost.

The Olympic Games were postponed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the outbreak has chilled public opinion toward the event, both organisers and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga have vowed to press ahead with the Games.

The decision on international spectators will “ensure safe and secure Games for all participants and the Japanese public,” Tokyo 2020 organisers said in a statement following five-way talks that included the head of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, and the Tokyo governor.

“People who are involved in the Olympics in some way may be allowed to enter the country, whereas regular visitors will not be able to,” Tokyo 2020’s Muto said.

He said costs for hotel cancellations would not be covered. Organisers may also consider cutting the number of staff members who will participate in the Games.

The Games are scheduled for 23 July 23 to 8 August, and the Paralympics from 24 August to 5 September.

Media polls have shown that a majority of the Japanese public are wary about letting in international spectators to watch the Games as the country grapples with the tail-end of a third wave of the pandemic.

New Zealand reaction

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has expressed its disappointment on behalf of the 1600 New Zealand fans set to travel to this year’s Tokyo Games after it was confirmed international spectators won’t be allowed to attend.

The Japanese Government and Games organisers have made the call to ban foreign supporters from the Games, to be held in July and August, due to fears they could spread Covid-19.

NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith says although this situation is frustrating for New Zealand fans and athletes, the NZOC understands the reasoning behind the decision.

She says while New Zealand athletes thrive on knowing friends, whānau and fans are in the crowd, they will have to rely on support from back in New Zealand this year.

Stripped down Games

A stripped-down Games means the government will not get the tourism boom it had long counted on. Japan has grown increasingly reliant on foreign tourists, particularly from Asia, to bolster its weak domestic economy.

Like other countries, it has seen tourism unravel with the pandemic and its hotels and restaurants have been hit hard.

Saturday’s decision did not cover local spectators. Muto said organisers will decide next month on caps for spectators in venues.

“It’s very unfortunate,” Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said of the decision on international spectators, speaking to reporters after the meeting.

But she added that the conclusion was “unavoidable” given that the main priority for holding a successful Games would be the health of the athletes and the Japanese public.

Kyodo news service earlier reported that organisers were leaning towards barring overseas volunteers from helping at the Games.

Sources told Reuters earlier this month that the Japanese government had concluded it will not be able to allow spectators from abroad.

-Reuters / RNZ

Family ask for prayer as man hospitalised after alleged machete attack in Lapaha

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The family of a man who was taken to hospital in a serious condition are asking the community to pray for him.

It is understood a machete was involved in a fight before the victim was injured.

A sister told Kaniva News he was allegedly beaten during an incident at the Feitu’u Lalo in Lapaha.

The man was only named on Facebook  as Sitefi.

“We have nothing to offer and we ask for your prayers for our brother. Lord we ask that you make everything possible,” a caption posted to Facebook with photos purported to show the victim lying in hospital with head and hand injuries.

The details of the incident were still unknown.

Authorities could not be reached for comment.

Man jailed after vicious machete attack in Tongatapu

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A man has been jailed after he attacked a teenager in Tongatapu with a machete.

‘Inivenesi Helu was sentenced to two-year imprisonment at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court on March 5 after he swung a machete and hit Tevita Hafoka’s right arm. The last 12 months of his sentence were suspended on condition.

Helu pleaded guilty to one count of causing serious bodily harm.

The dramatic incident unfolded on 12 July 2020, at about 3.30pm after Hafoka, Siua Moimoi and Tevita Fuafili were approached by a woman at a Chinese shop complaining that Siua’s younger brother, Moli, took her vehicle. Not long after, Moli arrived in a vehicle with Helu.

Siua punched Moli which resulted in Helu taking a baseball bat from the vehicle and chasing Siua. After an altercation between Helu and Siua, Helu left.

People, including Hafoka, started to gather. They saw Helu return to where the crowd had gathered. Helu yelled in Tongan “drink like people ‘ who have pubic hair”.

When no one responded, Helu punched 17-year-old Hafoka. Hafoka then ran out on the road and challenged Helu to a fight. Helu walked over to the victim and produced a machete. As Hafoka turned to run, Helu swung the machete and hit Hafoka’s right arm. Helu chased Hafoka but could not catch him.

Hafoka was taken to hospital where he was treated for a seven cm deep laceration which required internal and external sutures.

Later that day, Helu was arrested. The following day, his mother and de facto partner apologised to the Hafoka’s mother.

In sentencing Helu Lord Chief Justice Whitten said he is to be given credit for any time spent in custody on remand in relation to this matter.

“The final 12 months of the said sentence will be suspended for a period of 2 years on condition that during that suspension period, the Defendant is:

(a) not to commit any offence punishable by imprisonment;

(b) be placed on probation;

(c) report to the probation office within 48 hours of his release from prison;

(d) reside where directed by his probation officer; and

(e) complete a course on alcohol awareness and life skills as directed by his probation officer.

Failure to comply with the above conditions will likely result in the Defendant being required to serve the suspended period of his term of imprisonment.”

Mother warns her kāinga saying Toakase and Viliami’s funeral services were ‘wonderful’ after their bodies buried together

By
Kalino Latu
-

The funeral services of a slain daughter and her husband, who police believed he killed her before attempting to take his own life and later died in hospital had been described as wonderful.

Mother of four Toakase Finau, 29, and father of her children Viliami Latu, 31, were buried together in the same plot at the Manukau Memorial Garden, Papatoetoe this morning.

Videographer Rev Vosailangi Sikalu who filmed the burial services said it was “hugely pitiful”.

Finau’s mother ‘Alilia Teu Kata acknowledged the inspiring way the two families have grieved together asking her own family and kāinga to leave everything behind.

“To my kāinga (relatives) if you are sympathising (with Toakase) leave Viliami alone as Toakase’s paternal side were not happy with me on that. The funeral services were wonderful,” Kata posted on Facebook this afternoon.

She said she was not a person who interfered with other people’s affairs.

The pair’s tragedy haunted the Tongan community since their tragic deaths were revealed in the news last week.

Some of Finau’s kāinga and friends couldn’t bear to see how her life ended in such a dreadful way and attempts by both families to handle it with respect and dignity didn’t deter them from venting their frustrations on Facebook.

After Kaniva posted the news with double headshot photos of the pair and shared them to Facebook some supporters of Toakase didn’t accept it.

“Can you please delete Viliami’s photo,” a commenter said.

“I wouldn’t want to be buried together with my killer if I was the victim,” another wrote.

As we reported earlier this week, tributes had been also shared online for Lātū.

A commenter said she was surprised at “how he chose that pathway for him and his wife to go through”.

Last night Kata spoke during the pair’s wake. She described Finau as unique and loving among all her five children. She said Finau was her second daughter and the third was ‘Ana who died in April last year.

Finau’s family believed Latu contacted Finau last week asking to see their children at his court-appointed bail address in Pukekohe.

Finau’s family also believed the deceased pair met after Finau arrived and discussed their relationship during which Finau appears to have declined a suggestion by Latu for them to reunite.

They are survived by their four children.

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