The Supreme Court has found ‘Epeli Taione guilty of possession of illicit drugs.
His co-accused Kuliti Tongamoa, aka “Creed” was found guilty on two counts of supplying illicit drugs.
‘Epeli Taione (R) with wife Hon Lupepau’u Tuita Taione. Photo/Facebook
Taione, who was married to Princess Pilolevu’s eldest daughter was arrested after police executed a search warrant and took several people into custody in ‘Umusi in February.
Police found the former ‘Ikale Tahi player and former chair of the national rugby union board, sleeping in a room inside Tongamoa’s workplace.
Police seized Taione’s mobile phone and found a text message which read: “Koau eni mihi is Creed” (‘I am sniffing is Creed’).
The judge after making clarifications on the message and what she believed was an auto-correct mistake said the message intended to say “Ko au ‘eni mihi ‘ia Creed” which means “I am sniffing at Creed’s” workplace.
Both accused men pleaded not guilty to the offences and stood trial, local news media have reported.
Justice Langi said she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the first accused Tongamoa supplied cocaine to Mr Taione.
She found Tongamoa guilty on one count of supplying 0.01 grams of cocaine.
Taione was found guilty on one count of possession of 0.01 grams of cocaine.
Both accused remain on bail and will be sentenced on February 19, 2021.
Meanwhile, a third person Tome Suasau was sentenced recently to eight months in prison, but Miss Langi suspended the sentence completely because he had pleaded guilty and co-operated with the police.
Media reports on the motion of no confidence have focused on Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fā’otusia’s concerns about what he sees as the undue influence of disgraced former MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu on the Prime Minister and the cost of the government’s prayer and fasting excursions to the outer islands.
Sione Vuna Fā’otusia, PM Tu’i’onetoa and ‘Etuate Lavulavu
Existing concerns about the roadworks schemes and the alleged failure of the government to address the plight of watermelon growers whose crops have been banned from entering New Zealand were also raised in the motion of no confidence.
However, the motion of no confidence raises a number of other issues that raise concerns about proper governance and procedure.
Resigned
Radio New Zealand reported last night that Hon. Fa’otusia had resigned. When asked by Kaniva News earlier in the day whether he had handed in his papers, the Deputy Prime Minister would only say it would be “the decent thing to do.”
The motion was tabled by leading Democrat Sēmisi Sika and was signed by 10 MPs. It has been calculated that with two Nobles trapped overseas, the Democrats could topple the Prime Minister with fewer than a handful of votes.
Covid-19
In the motion of no confidence, questions are raised about the apparent lack of planning for Covid-19.
Despite promises in the Budget Statement that combatting Covid-19 was the government’s chief priority, no plan setting out actions to ensure safety for the people of Tonga had been brought to Parliament.
The motion claimed that a TP$39 million “to fill in the gaps in the 2020/2021 budget” did not go through proper procedures. By law the government can only borrow TP$15 million a year in any financial year, the motion said.
A loan of $39 million “to fill in the gaps in the 2020/2021 budget” did not go through the normal processes.
A budget deficit of TP$20.6 million was funded from the Emergency Fund because of the TP$380m expenditure with a revenue of only TP$359.4m. In this deficit budget there is already the inclusion of the proposed loan from IMF of $19m plus $20m from Government bonds was included.
In the motion, it was claimed the amount of the loan was “spread and hidden” in the budget statement.
Roadworks
According to the petition, the road works programme had been selected to benefit Cabinet members.
The huge amount of money allocated raises questions on the selection process of companies to be providers and subcontractors on the projects.
The Prime Minister revealed in February 2020 at a public meeting at Tongatapu 4 that roadworks in his TT10 constituency has already exceeded $4m but were not finished, the motion said.
“A total allocation of $300m for the roadworks include $45m for the first year (2020/21). $120m for the second year (2021/22); and $135 for the third year (2022/23).
“Details of the $300m are outlined as: a) $100m for rocks, b) $50m for tar and kerosene, c) $20m for clearance of trees and roadsides, d) $50m needs of workers e.g. overtime, oil, etc. e) $20m for works to seal the roads, f) $20m for drainage work, g) $40m other expenses.
“The huge amount of money allocated raises questions on the selection process of companies to be providers and subcontractors on the projects.”
Selective financial assistance
The motion of no confidence said the 2020/21 budget had allocated financial help to the company operating the boat from ‘Eua, the constituency of the Minister of Finance, despite the fact that there were other local boat companies in need of assistance.
“The Budget Statement includes the commitment from Government ‘to fund from the Budget of 2020/21 assistance to sea transportation to ‘Eua.’ The Minister of Finance, Tevita Lavemaau is the people’s representative to ‘Eua, and Government looks the other way concerning issues of conflict of interest,” the motion said.
Other examples of Selective financial assistance included the refusal to help Real Tonga Airlines, effectively shutting them down, yet starting a new airline owned and funded by Government.
Media fund
It was also raised that TP $610,600 had been set aside from the Prime Minister’s Office current budget under the heading ‘announcements for media,’ up to June 30, 2021. Questions were raised about which media were getting the bulk of the payments, and why it cost so much such a high cost when the Government has its own radio and television service.?
Construction of footpaths
Footpaths were meant to be laid down in the main towns of Nuku’alofa (for Tongatapu), Neiafu (for Vava’u), Pangai (for Ha’apai), and ‘Ohonua (for ‘Eua). Instead, other villages and where Ministers come from had been selected for work instead..
“This is obviously another blatant case of selective works carried out by Government only in constituencies of those in the Cabinet,” the motion said.
“These points of contention presented in the motion will be debated and responded to by the Prime Minister. He is being given plenty of time before the January 12 reconvening of Parliament to prepare his response. “
Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa has again been asked for his response to accusations made by Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fa’otusia in his no confidence motion.
We would like to report the Prime Minister’s response and have asked him to comment several times.
We will let you know his response as soon as we hear from him.
Disgraced ex-politician ‘Etuate Lavulavu has denied he was responsible for the new cyber bullying bill, the Electronic Communication Abuse Offences Act, which became law last week.
‘Etuate Lavulavu
Lavulavu said the law was passed by Parliament, of which he is not a member.
Lavulavu was expelled from Parliament in 2016 after being convicted of bribery.
He has clashed with his critics and PTOA supporters on Facebook for the past week, accusing them of defaming him and publishing ‘fake news.’
Lavulavu appears to have become infuriated after he was accused of being responsible for a number of laws passed by the government, including the Communication Abuse Offence Act.
He threatened to lodge complaints against his critics with the Police.
In Tongan Lavulavu said: “Puka [Manufekai] I am warning you, if you continue what you are doing. I have no choice. I have taken screen shots of your alleged defamation and 22 fake news against me. This is my last warning. If you continue I will take you to court.”
He warned his critics before the law was passed last week that he had already taken screenshots of comments which he regarded as defamatory.
Lavulavu’s comments met with a strong reaction from his critics.
Some urged Manufekai, a staunch supporter of the PTOA Party, to continue what he was doing on Facebook.
The Attorney General, Linda Folaumoetu’i, told the media last week the new law was intended to address the use of any communication platform to abuse, harass or otherwise harm another person.
While many welcomed the law to fight against online abuse, many feared the government would use it to silence its critics and stop civil servants from leaking sensitive information to the public.
Lavulavu was convicted of bribery by the Tonga Supreme Court. That was after he was 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.
On 3 March 2018 Lavulavu and his wife were arrested on fraud charges stemming from their management of the ʻUnuaki ʻo Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.
‘Etuate Lavulavu was asked for comment, but told us his answers were in interviews he made with Radio Tonga and 89.5 FM.
Unfortunately, the questions we have offered him a chance to answer come from us, not the radio stations.
Friends of a Tongan woman who died in a crash yesterday in Auckland have paid tribute to her on social media, saying she was “exceptionally active and sociable” when they grew up.
Meliame Tonga Pani. Photo/Facebook
Tonga Pani, 22, who went by the name Meliame Tonga Pani on social media was killed in an early morning crash in an Auckland suburb over the weekend.
Emergency services were called to a spot on Mt Eden Rd, near Three Kings Grove, shortly before 5am yesterday after reports of a crash.
Police confirmed the woman’s identity in a statement today.
“Rest in love Meliame Tonga Pani,” a commenter wrote.
“Black for you my partner in crime Meliame Tonga Pani. Gone too soon Wake up sis im sick of crying Fly High my sis.”
Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fā’otusia said this morning he could not work with Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, but stopped short of specifically confirming reports he had resigned.
Minister of Justice Hon. Vuna Fā’otusia. Photo/Kalino Lātū
Hon. Fā’otusia is deeply unhappy about the Prime Minister’s relationship with disgraced former Cabinet Member ‘Etuate Lavulavu.
Kaniva News has asked Hon. Fā’otusia to confirm that he has tendered his resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice to Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa.
We also wanted to know what the Prime Minister’s response has been and whether Hon. Fā’otusia still holds his ministerial offices.
Responding to our questions, Hon. Fā’otusia said the guidelines for Cabinet members clearly said that if ministers did not agree with the Prime Minister and the other members of cabinet they had to tender their resignation.
“This is a decent thing to do as in Cabinet things will not move forward if members are not loyal to the Prime Minister,” Hon. Fā’otusia said.
It was up to the Prime Minister to either accept the resignation or not. if he did not accept it he would not forward the resignation to the king and the Minister would still be in cabinet.
If he forwarded the resignation to the king, it would be for the king to either accept it or not. If the king did not accept the resignation then the said member would still be in cabinet.
The question of the Deputy Prime Minister’s resignation hinges on his tabling of a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa over the influence of Lavulavu. Lavulavu was convicted of bribery and kicked out of Parliament in 2016.
Hon. Fā’otusia blamed Lavulavu for being the mastermind behind the Prime Minister, who appeared to do whatever he was told.
“Cabinet is not functioning well as members did not challenge the Prime Minister about bringing in Lavulavu,” Hon. Fā’otusia said.
“Another funny thing is that that in the party formed by the Prime Minister and Lavulavu, the Prime Minister is the leader and the deputy is Lavulavu, but Lavulavu is neither a member of Parliament or Cabinet.
“What do they think of the other Cabinet members? This is an insult to the intellect of the rest of Cabinet members and it should be stopped.
“I cannot work with the Prime Minister while Lavulavu is by his side.
“We need to put a stop to this practice and bring in a government that can do the right thing where justice is done and also be seen to be done. God bless us all.”
Every year in Tonga the first week of January is devoted to a prayer service conducted by the Free Wesleyan Church call Uike Ha’amo ‘o Tonga or, in English, the churches ask God to carry Tonga over His shoulder.
It ran for the whole week and people have to prepare polas every day from Monday to Sunday to welcome people who attended the churches. The Free Wesleyan Church prayer service was later joined by other Tongan protestant churches like the Free Church of Tonga. It was a big week for Tonga and it has been running for many years now.
The pastors and whoever is attending have the chance to speak in the church and during the feast they asked God to protect Tonga from any natural disasters or any types of crisis. This was the gist of the prayer service.
But as we can see, Tonga continues to face tropical cyclones and the government’s annual budget continues to rely heavily on foreign countries’ donations. More than 50% of the budget has to come from its overseas counterparts.
Tonga continues to suffer from one of the highest levels of non-communicable diseases and obesity.
Statistics from the Asian Development Bank show about 22 percent of the Tonga population lives below the poverty line. The high cost of living means many people struggle to meet basic needs.
Last year Tongan police said that drug use, especially that of methamphetamine, is spreading in the kingdom and increasingly affecting young people. According to police statistics, among those arrested recently for drug use, the youngest is a 13-year-old, while the oldest is aged 67.
The pattern is the same with the Prime Minister’s National Fasting and Prayer services programme, which he said was to combat Covid-19. It is flawed and detracts from the Christian religion. He told the media Tonga was still safe because of the prayer programme. Is he trying to let us ask questions like, who was responsible for the tropical cyclones which have caused severe damage throughout Tonga almost every year, the drug epidemic, the level of poverty and Tonga’s struggle to fund its annual budget?
Hon Tu’i’onetoa, according to his Covid-19 prayer campaign, believes that God has been showing favouritism towards Tonga in particular and did not treat the other countries who have more Christian followers the same way. Italy, where Catholicism originated, suffered hugely and many of its people have died from Covid-19. Are we going to say that God hated Italy and only protected Tonga?
The Prime Minister needs help with his logic and reasoning.
Sensible
Logic would suggest that Tonga has kept Covid-19 at bay because of the Prime Minister’s very sensible decision to follow scientific advice and close the borders to aircraft, as well as having the navy keep watch for ships entering the kingdom’s territorial waters. These were good policies and they have worked. There was no need for the Prime Minister to claim the country was free of the virus because of his campaign.
Italy was overwhelmed with Covid infections because it did not close its borders in time and doctors and nurses have worked heroically since then to stem the tide within the country’s borders. From the Vatican, in the heart of Italy’s capital Rome, Pope Francis has prayed for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic, but also praised the work of scientists for working together to find a cure.
The Prime Minister’s fasting has been a bizarre twist in the Covid-19 pandemic given the level of expenditure taken from taxpayers’ money to fund it while at the same time Tongans who are stuck overseas have not received any help, unlike citizens from some other countries.
The melon growers and civil servants have complained about their plight, but the Prime Minister and his entourage have busied themselve in travelling to collect food, Tongan handicrafts, fish and travelling allowances, all paid for by taxpayers’ money.
Why didn’t Hon Tu’i’onetoa asked the churches in the outer islands to do the fasting and prayers on their own? That would save government money. In Vava’u last week, the Free Wesleyan Church Superintendent told the government’s tour in a welcoming programme that when he saw the number of government staff who had joined the tour he asked himself what would happen if the government stopped the tour and used that money to create a budget to pay the pastors. He said he was just making a joke, but Facebook users quickly took to Facebook and shared their views. They said the pastor was joking in the Tongan way of trying to make a joke but at the same time speaking seriously about the issue in a way the government would understand.
We saw during the Prime Minister’s visit to Vava’u last week that the level of cultural and social welcoming ceremonies expected was too much. Obliging people to donate polas caused some to complain because they could not afford it. That’s not how Christianity is supposed to work and there seems to be no logical link between fasting and enjoying huge feasts.
Religion should be respected, so it would have been better to leave the churches to provide such services for the people. Tonga’s coat of arms includes two olive branches tied around a crown, symbolising church and state. They are inseparable and at the same time they have to watch over each other. Some church ministers have expressed their concerns over Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s expensive fasting campaign and Kaniva News has reported this previously. The Prime Minister should respect people’s religious beliefs and leave it to them to decide whether they want to fast or pray.
The Democrats could topple the government of Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa with less than a handful of votes when Parliament reconvenes in January.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuna Fā’otusia, who helped PTOA Leader Sēmisi Sika tabled the motion of no confidence in Hon. Tu’i’onetoa, said there were Cabinet Ministers who supported the PTOA (Democrats), but did not name them, implying these ministers would only come out in the secret ballot when the vote took place next month.
The motion of no confidence was signed by 10 MPs.
That means the Democrats may only need to obtain two more votes to win.
The Parliament consists of 26 MPs. When it comes to the day of the vote the Speaker will not participate in the ballot as he will act as the chair of the process.
That leaves the House with only 25 MPs to cast their ballots. Ten MPs have already demonstrated their support for the Deputy Prime Minister by signing the motion.
Lord Fusitu’a was airlifted to New Zealand last year after becoming seriously ill and it appears he will not be able to return to Tonga soon. Lord Vaha’i is stuck in the United States because of the border closures.
Unless the government charters a repatriation flight from the US to bring Lord Vaha’i home, the PTOA will only need two government MPs to join them.
Confident
Deputy Prime Minister Vuna Fa’otusia is confident of victory.
“I believe that once the vote of no confidence is cast, only Hon. Tu’i’onetoa, and Akosita Lavulavu will be on the other side,” Hon. Fa’otusia told Kaniva News.
It is understood that Hon. Fa’otusia was discontented with Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s relationship with convicted former Cabinet Member Etuate Lavulavu. Hon. Fa’otusia blamed Lavulavu for being the “mastermind” behind the Prime Minister, who appeared to do whatever he was told.
We have asked the Prime Minister for a response.
Hon. Tu’i’onetoa has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks over his government’s prayer and fasting tours of the outer islands. These are estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of pa’anga at a time when melon growers are facing a financial crisis because their crops have been banned from New Zealand. The politicians are seen to be amassing piles of expensive handicrafts and gifts
As we reported earlier this week, people and officials in the outer islands have begun to revolt at demands that they pay for huge, expensive feasts.
It has also been hard for many people to see how the Prime Minister can be promoting fasting if he and his fellow tourists are eating so much.
Because the motion was tabled on the last sitting day of parliament for the year the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, ruled that a tentative date for the motion to be tabled in the house would be the next sitting day, January 12.
Opportunity
The vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa is a golden opportunity for the Democratic Party and its supporters to have an honest look at themselves and make sure they are fit to take up the reins of power again.
This gives the Democrats just over three weeks to forge a unified front, make sure they have the numbers to win the vote and to convince the public they can rule wisely and effectively so they will win the next election
However, the Democrats have work to do.
Once upon a time they were supported by the majority of Tongans.
In recent years many former supporters and members of the public have become disenchanted because the party was in disarray and Party MPs were blamed for undermining the PTOA by being hungry for power.
The Speaker has referred the motion to the Privileges Committee to ensure it complies with rules and has invited the Prime Minister to respond.
The motion and any reply will be tabled together to Parliament.
He told Kaniva News this morning he was not happy with how Tu’i’onetoa runs the government and the involvement of ousted Cabinet Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu.
Hon Fa’otusia made the startling revelation after a vote of no confidence motion in Hon Tu’i’onetoa was submitted to the House yesterday.
He and the nine other Democratic MPs known as the PTOA Party have signed the motion.
“The move for a vote of no confidence in our government was submitted yesterday, and those signed are the nine members of the party, PTOA, in parliament, including myself from cabinet,” Hon Fa’otusia said.
“We are not happy with the government of Lavulavu and the PM Tu’i’onetoa.
“They have to go, and now is as good a time as any!”
Hon Fā’otusia claimed there were members in Cabinet who supported them and will vote for them. He said these Cabinet ministers did not agree with what the Prime Minister and Lavulavu have been doing for Tonga.
“I also know that once the members of the nobles in Parliament know that the king is not happy with the government of PM Tu’i’onetoa and Lavulavu, they will vote for us!
“I believe that once the vote of no confidence is casted, only the now PM Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and Akosita Lavulavu, will be on the other side.”
All in the interests of the country, and the people of Tonga!”
MP Siaosi Pōhiva, the PTOA Party Secretary General has confirmed to Kaniva News they have submitted a Vote of No Confidence motion in the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to the Parliament yesterday.
Every motion for a Vote of No Confidence tabled in the house required to be signed by at least 10 MPs, a number the PTOA nine MPs could not get without the help of an MP from the nobility or Cabinet.
The VONC rules also stipulate the motion be put to a vote within five working days from the time it is tabled.
Residents of Tonga’s outer islands are beginning to revolt at demands for elaborate feasts to be provided for the government’s prayer and fasting tours.
Reliable sources have told Kaniva News that the government’s heads of departments in Vava’u were told to provide polas.
PM Tu’i’onetoa’s mokopuna Loseta (right) performing a tau’olunga with a tekiteki of $1000 donated by the Prime Minister and his family to the Tu’anekivale village development projects. Photo/Television Tonga (Screenshot)
A pola is originally a long tray made of coconut fronds plaited together. It can be used to serve up to 30 types of dishes, which can include chicken, crayfish, octopus, pork and vegetables steamed in an umu, suckling pig, and several varieties of tropical fruits.
However, the Vava’u officials are reported to have complained that they could not afford to buy the food.
In the end the government team led by Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa were provided with huge meals at the expense of the Vava’u locals.
Town officers in some districts, including Hahake and Leimātu’a, rejected requests by the governor’s office to provide polas for the tour. They said they did not believe people should be obliged to bear such expenses.
The Governor of Vava’u, Lord Fakatulolo, has been contacted for comment.
There were complaints from Longomapu locals about the programme which had been announced to be attended by the Prime Minister.
The locals gathered at the Maamamo’onia hall and waited, but they were finally told the programme was cancelled because the Prime Minister and his team were travelling to the island of Ofu, an estate of Lord Tu’ilakepa, the Minister of Agriculture, Forest and Food
Prime Minister’s donations
Meanwhile, during a celebration in Tu’anekivale on Saturday to open a new weaving hall and centre for women it was announced the Prime Minister and his family have donated TOP$1,000 to help the village’s development.
Another donation was presented to the Governor of Vava’u from the Prime Minister and his entourage but the total amount of money was not announced.
A Tongan tau’olunga item was performed as part of the donations with Tongan handicrafts were also presented as gifts for the locals.
Cabinet ministers and officers attending the celebration were seen at the tau’olunga spot rewarding the dancer and the tu’ulāfale people with pa’anga notes.
The Tu’anekivale villagers also presented a hā’unga which was a hog and kava plant for the Prime Minister and his government retinue.
As Kaniva News reported since last week, the controversy surrounding the use of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ money for the national fasting and prayer programme has drawn a strong response from the Prime Minister, who said it was one of his policies to fight against Covid-19.
Kaniva News was told a protest was staged and ready to welcome the Prime Minister on his way from the airport last week, but was cancelled after the governor, Lord Fakatulolo, arrived at the scene and pleaded with the protestors to please cancel it as it would affect his relationship with the Prime Minister. The protestors agreed.
We have reported photos of a number of vehicles being draped with banners, including one which accused the Prime Minister of duping the people of Vava’u. Those photos were taken at the scene.
As we reported, another banner demanded the Prime Minister resign and another read “Stop the Kefeu Palemia ke Sesele” (Stop imposing curfews are you foolish Prime Minister).
“You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool Vava’u all the time,” another banner read.
A Tongan man has been charged with murder after a male Vanuatu fruit picker was killed at a Riverland farm in Adelaide on August 2.
Kaniva Tonga News
Manu Vi, 25, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday by video link, and has yet to plead to one count of murder, the Queensland Times online has reported.
The charge arises from an incident at Paringa, 260km north east of Adelaide, on August 2.
Vi was originally charged with manslaughter after his alleged victim, a 29-year-old Vanuatu national, did not show up for work the day after the incident.
The Vanuatu man was found unresponsive in his cabin that night and rushed to hospital, but died two days later.
On Tuesday, police prosecutors said the charges against Vi were subsequently upgraded to murder, the paper said.
The Magistrate Court has postponed the case until May to allow the investigators to complete their tasks including getting people to do translation works.
“There was a fight, the victim intervened and has taken a blow to the face which has, ultimately, killed him,” the report said.
