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Mastermind of TOP$2 million meth smuggling scheme faces 12 and-a-half years in jail

By
Philip Cass
-

A man convicted of trying to smuggle 1.9kg of  methamphetamine from Tonga to New Zealand has been sentenced to 12 and-a-half years in jail.

As Kaniva news reported earlier this month,  Viliami Mangisi, 59, was found guilty of trying to export the drugs through Fua‘amotu International Airport in May 2018.

He was originally charged with three counts of possession of Class A drugs, the attempted export of illicit drugs and failure to make declaration to Customs Officer.

The methamphetamine was estimated to have a street value of $TP2 million.

The court was told Mangisi arranged with an airport cleaner, Samuela Fonua, to smuggle the drugs into the airport and hide them in the departure lounge so he could pick them up on the way to the plane.

The plan came unstuck  after a shift leader at the airport spotted Fonua acting suspiciously and told his manager who called the police.

Mangisi proclaimed his innocence in court, saying that his bag had contained tobacco and that police had planted the drugs on him.

Fonua gave evidence against him.

Mr Justice Cato, who heard the case in the Supreme Court, has been quoted by Tongan media as describing Mangisi as “the mastermind who corruptly co-opted Fonua in his plan it seems for little or no reward.”

“In my view, a condign sentence is required as deterrence and to protect society from offenders who participate in and promote this evil trade.”

Because he had not co-operate with the police, no part of his sentence would be suspended.

The sentence would begin from the date Mangisi was first taken into custody.

The main points

  • A man convicted of trying to smuggle 1.9kg of  methamphetamine from Tonga to New Zealand has been sentenced to 12 and-a-half years in jail.
  • As Kaniva news reported earlier this month,  Viliami Mangisi, 59, was found guilty of trying to export the drugs through Fua‘amotu International Airport in May 2018.

For more information

Drug smuggler Viliami Mangisi faces sentencing

Drug smuggler Viliami Mangisi faces sentencing

Mangisi gets long jail term for “evil trade” in meth

https://matangitonga.to/2019/11/22/mangisi-gets-long-jail-term-evil-trade-meth

Government did not follow proper procedure in deciding to cancel debts to Revenue Ministry

By
Philip Cass
-

The Tongan Government has not written off any debts owing to the Ministry of Revenue and Customs.

A government spokesman said yesterday the government had gone back on an earlier decision to write off the money because it had not followed the right procedure.

On July 12 this year cabinet agreed to a proposal from the Minister of Revenue and Customs to write off debts of unpaid tax and duties due to the Ministry for the period of 2004-2014. This amounted to more than TOP$11 million.

The Minister for Finance was not present at the meeting. He later advised cabinet that the proper legal process to write off debts had not been followed.

According to Section 41 of the Public Finance Management Act, proposals to write off debt  have to be submitted to the Secretary for Finance and the Minister for Finance for investigation.

Once that investigation is completed, it is only the Minister for Finance and no one else, who makes recommendations to cabinet whether or not to write off the debt.

In addition, when a submission to write off debts is received by the Ministry of Finance, it is usually referred to the Auditor General’s Office to verify why the debts cannot be collected by the reporting agencies.

The Auditor General then reports back to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Finance reports to cabinet as to whether the debt is to be written off or not.

On July 17 cabinet decided to go back on its decision.

A government spokesman said no debts had been written off and the Ministry of Finance had not received any submission from the Ministry of Revenue and Customs.

The main points

  • The Tongan Government has  not written off any debts owing to the Ministry of Revenue and Customs.
  • A government spokesman said yesterday the government had gone back on an earlier decision to write off the money because it had not followed the right procedure.

Tonga women forced from Oceania Cup over measles concerns

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Radio NZ

Tonga’s women’s rugby team has withdrawn from this week’s Oceania Rugby Championships in Fiji after the team was quarantined for measles.

Oceania Rugby said the decision was made after the team were forced into quarantine for 18 days – which would run through the tournament.

One of the players who arrived in Fiji was suspected of having measles, and tests were conducted on Sunday.

A senior official at the Fiji health ministry, Aalisha Sahukan, said the risk of infection was deemed too high for the Tongan team to participate.

The decision has forced a new schedule to be drawn up for the rest of the tournament.

TAC Chair accused of mudslinging against PTOA members following ‘threat’ to kill Tonga PM complaint

By
Kalino Latu
-

Auckland based Tongan Democrats (PTOA) have accused the chair of the Tonga Advisory Council, Melino Maka, of attempting to drag them through the mud after he lodged a complaint with New Zealand police.

The complaint was made after what appeared to have been part of a post on Facebook alleging there was a threat to kill Tonga Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and his advisor ‘Etuate Lavulavu in New Zealand.

The post alleged the plot has been decided in a meeting.

According to a screenshot of what appeared to be the original post on which Maka based his complaint to Police, the post was made by a person who goes by the name of Moana Fameitau.

Some online users, who knew Fameitau,  were quick to comment and said Fameitau was just making a joke.

The PTOA officials have denied being part of the allegation.

However, Maka took to Facebook this morning to warn the PTOA members in New Zealand after his complaint to Police.

“I have been busy this morning with calls from our community here in NZ about this threat to kill Hon Tu’ionetoa (PM Kingdom of Tonga) and Lavulavu. I have lodged a complaint to the NZ Police. To the NZ PTOA committee, like it or not you have to understand and respect democracy. So you have now deal with the police,” Maka wrote.

The Tongan Democrats have organised themselves in Auckland and regularly meet at 30 Station Road, Papatoetoe.

A PTOA spokesperson said Fameitau was not a member of the PTOA organisation in New Zealand and he never attended the group’s meeting.

New Zealand-based Tongan Sione ‘Eniketi Taufa told Kaniva news Fameitau was free to post what he thought on Facebook and it did not affect their PTOA group.

Taufa has questioned Maka’s position in the Tongan community in New Zealand and asked who he was representing.  

Taufa, a long time strong supporter of the democracy movement in Tonga, said Maka was free to say what he wanted, just like Fameitau, but to say he was representing the Tongan community, was misleading.

Many people have criticised the Tonga Advisory Council, saying it was not active and it did not relate directly with members of the Tongan community.

The main points

  • Auckland-based Tongan Democrats (PTOA) have accused the chair of the Tonga Advisory Council, Melino Maka, of attempting to drag them through the mud after he lodged a complaint with New Zealand police.
  • The complaint was made after what appeared to have been part of a post on Facebook alleging there was a threat to kill Tonga Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and his advisor ‘Etuate Lavulavu in New Zealand.

PM Tu‘i‘onetoa finally pulls plug on hemp decision that ignited public protests

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tu’i’onetoa government has finally canceled its decision last month to conduct a public consultation following a proposal from members of the public to cultivate hemp in Tonga.

As we reported last month, a cabinet document provided to us date October 17 appears to show cabinet approved the application from an entity identified as ‘the Brown group,’ subject to a public consultation organised  by the Attorney General’s office.

The decision was made while the Prime Minister was away overseas.

He later told media last month he would revoke the decision.

In a statement released to Kaniva and other media yesterday, the prime minister’s office said: “The Cabinet would like to reassure the people of Tonga that it has rejected the business proposal from the Brown Group on 30 October 2019, and this will be the end of it.” 

It said the “final decision was reached after cabinet received a report from its Cabinet Sub-Committee that was set up to look into this important issue.

“The report submitted by the Cabinet Sub-Committee reiterated that hemp is an illicit substance and it is banned by law, in Tonga.  The Committee also noted the high risk that the current drug related problems will escalate if the project is allowed.  The Cabinet fully endorsed the Sub-Committee’s findings.    

The way cabinet first dealt with the proposal caused strong reaction from the public with many have remained suspicious that this would lead to an easing off in the war against illicit drugs.

A Free Wesleyan pastor preached on the issue and told his congregation the government has allowed “Satan’s plant” to be cultivated in Tonga.

Vicar-General Monsignor Lutoviko Fīnau of Roman Catholic church has warned that the government’s dealing  with the proposal could push the nation to the brink of danger.

PM’s ‘innocent until proven guilty’ argument deters TBC journalists’ suspension, Chairman Piukala says

By
Kalino Latu
-

Three journalists at Tonga Broadcasting Commission who Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa recommended be suspended are still working full time.

The PM wanted the TBC’s Station Manager Setita Tu’i’onetoa, television anchors Vilisoni Tu’iniua and Salamo Fulivai suspended pending an investigation.

Hon Pōhiva said he made the recommendation after he received complaints from the public including one lodged by ousted Cabinet Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu, who was stripped of his parliamentary seat after the Supreme Court found him guilty of bribery and overspending during the 2014 election.

‘Etuate and his wife ‘Akosita Lavulavu were also arrested last year and charged with three counts for obtaining by false pretences and three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents.

‘Akosita refused to resign as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the former government and as a result she was dismissed.

The Tu’i’onetoa government appointed her as Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism last month.

This has raised a few eyebrows, but the Prime Minister defended the appointment, saying she was still innocent until proven guilty.

TBC chairman Pīveni Piukala echoed the Prime Minister’s argument in the case of the TBC journalists.

Piukala asked why  Hon Tu’i’onetoa appeared to take a different view when it came to the journalists’ case.

In an interview with Kaniva news, Piukala believed the Prime Minister should have recommended keeping them in their jobs and wait for the outcome of the investigation just as he did with ‘Akosita.

TBC released a statement on the situation this evening saying it had come from Piukala.

It said Piukala had received the complaints and recommendations from the Prime Minister to suspend the trio last month.

The statement, which was also carried by Setita on her Facebook page, said that given the severity of the complaints Piukala had queried the prime minster’s office and asked for further information.

It said Piukala wanted more concrete evidence and supporting information to facilitate the investigation process.

It said Piukala wanted to give the journalists an opportunity to respond if the complaints were legitimate.

As Kaniva news reported last night, Hon. Pōhiva said the part of the investigation process which was taken by his office against one of the trio had been nearly completed.

As we reported last month, ‘Etuate wrote to TBC General Manager Solomone Finau demanding he suspend his news room staff and station manager.

‘Etuate wanted to investigate reports after part of an audio recording of him was broadcast on the TBC television news. He described the recording as falsified, incomplete and invalid and claimed it had been doctored and twisted to discredit him.

Setita said: “We are not prepared to agree to the terms of Lavulavu’s offer and if Lavulavu files proceedings, we will defend ourselves,” she said.

“The news was clear of breaking any laws of the government of Tonga and the news did not breach any of TBC’s policies and regulations.”

The main points

  • Three journalists at Tonga Broadcasting Commission who Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa recommended be suspended are still working full time.
  • The PM wanted the TBC’s Station Manager Setita Tu’i’onetoa, television anchors Vilisoni Tu’iniua and Salamo Fulivai suspended pending an investigation.

For more information

PM Tu‘i‘onetoa ‘recommends’ three TBC journalists be suspended pending investigation 

PM Tu‘i‘onetoa ‘recommends’ three TBC journalists be suspended pending investigation

Lord ‘Akau‘ola presents credentials in Abu Dhabi, leads ambassadors thanks to Sheikh

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Lord ‘Akau’ola, has officially presented his credentials to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai.

Hon. ‘Akau’ola made the presentation along with a number of other diplomats at the Qasr al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi.

He is Tonga’s first ambassador to the Gulf state.

Other ambassadors present included representatives of Switzerland, Slovakia, Cyprus, Niger, Sri Lanka, the European Union, Northern Macedonia, Italy, Latvia, Rwanda and Angola.

After the presentation of credentials by the other representatives, Hon ‘Akau’ola gave the official vote of thanks.

Members of the UAE Cabinet were at the ceremony.

The Tongan diplomatic mission has been established with the assistance of the UAE.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the king had ordered Hon. ‘Akau’ola to establish the embassy without placing any financial burden on the government of Tonga.

“Due to the close relationship between the two royal households Hon. ‘Akau’ola has managed to achieve this,” the Ministry said.

Hon. ‘Akau’ola is supported in the Tongan embassy by First Secretary Sione Sonata Tupou.

The embassy serves as the official headquarters of Tonga for Expo 2020.

A website is  being developed that will provide information on the royal household, the government, tourism, trade investment and consular services.

Tonga’s new embassy in Abu Dhabi is located on Level 26 , Tower 3, Etihad Towers.

Hon. ‘Akau’ola

In an article on November 9 about the opening of the Tongan embassy in the UAE, we made reference to Hon. ‘Akau’ola’s personal financial situation.

On November 15, following the provision of updated information by the ambassador’s representatives, we were happy to correct our original story and to inform readers that all of his financial obligations had been met.

In our article of November 9 we also made certain statements about the nature of diplomatic positions which caused Hon. ‘Akau’ola concern.

Kaniva news apologises to Hon. ‘Akau’ola for any distress we may have caused.

The story on our website has been removed.

The main points

  • Tonga’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Lord ‘Akau’ola, has officially presented his credentials to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai.
  • Hon. ‘Akau’ola made the presentation along with a number of other diplomats at the Qasr al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi.

For more information

Tonga expands to the Middle East

Tonga expands to the Middle East

Air NZ cancels dozens of international flights including Tonga over Dreamliner engine woes

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Radio New Zealand International  

Air New Zealand has cancelled some of its international flights due to ongoing issues with its Rolls-Royce engines.

The national carrier says maintenance requirements has forced it to cancel some 82 flights, affecting 14,000 customers travelling between 10 December and 5 January.

Most of the cancelled flights were between Christchurch and Perth, as well as Auckland and Sydney, with limited disruption between Auckland and Tonga.

The airline said it would begin processing changes to customer bookings this week and then contact affected passengers.

Air New Zealand spokesperson Dave Wilson said the airline had been performing regular checks on the engines since April and had been doing all it could to fast-track the required maintenance from Rolls-Royce, but there was a significant wait for repair services.

The airline warned there may be further cancellations.

The affected engines are installed on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

In a statement, Air NZ said: “Rolls-Royce requires operators of its Trent 1000 TEN model engines to carry out more frequent maintenance due to an issue with the engine’s high-pressure turbine blades. Rolls-Royce does not have any replacement engines available while maintenance work is undertaken and has advised Air New Zealand there’s significant wait for repair services.

“Air New Zealand has 10 Trent 1000 TEN engines fitted to its 787-9 fleet and has been working to minimise disruption but schedule changes are now unavoidable. Further changes may also be required as the airline progresses the engine checks.”

The most affected route is Air NZ’s twice-weekly seasonal Christchurch-Perth service, resulting in the cancellation of 62 flights.

Air NZ said it would cancel its second daily Auckland-Perth service from 10 December 2019 until 5 January 2020, but continue to operate its 11.10am Auckland-Perth and 6.50pm Perth-Auckland services as scheduled.

Outside the Perth route, a limited number of international cancellations would also take place from 10 December-2 January, it said.

Last year Air NZ engineers announced a strike notice that would have disrupted travel for 120,000 customers in the lead up to Christmas.

Engineers and logistics workers had threatened industrial action on 21, 22 and 23 December in the dispute over pay and conditions. However, the strike was called off a week in advance.

PM Tu‘i‘onetoa ‘recommends’ three TBC journalists be suspended pending investigation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has advised Tonga Broadcasting Commission chair Piveni Piukala to investigate three journalists after he received complaints from the public against them.

The Commission’s Studio Manager Setita Tu’i’onetoa, television anchors Vilisoni Tu’iniua and Salamo Fulivai are the subject of the investigation.

Hon. Pōhiva said the part of the investigation process which was taken by his office against one of the trio had been nearly completed.

The Prime Minister said he believed the process could take longer than expected, but he did not explain why.

He said it was the duty of Piukala to process the complaints after they were lodged with the government, the main shareholder of TBC.

“If he did not do that than that’s another issue to be addressed,” Hon Pōhiva told Kaniva news in Tongan.

Piukala said he will update us when he returns to Tonga this morning.

The complaints included one which was lodged by ousted cabinet minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu.

As we reported last month, Lavulavu wrote to TBC General Manager Solomone Finau demanding he suspends his news room staff and station manager.

Lavulavu wanted to investigate information he described in Tongan as falsified, incomplete, untruthful and invalid.

He accused the national radio and television service of not giving him a chance to respond to accusations against him. He said the rules of natural justice had not been followed.

Lavulavu claimed an incriminating audio recording of him, parts of which were broadcast on Television Tonga’s news, was doctored and twisted to discredit him.

The TBC news story, which was also carried by Setita on her Facebook page, alleged that  Lavulavu manipulated members of parliament before  the People’s Party won the premiership election and formed the government.

It also alleged that Lavulavu had requested the government to reward him, for his part in establishing the People’s Party and to approve an application to lease the plot of land on which the government flat he is renting is situated.

Lavulavu vehemently denied the allegations and said he did not make any requests to the government for rewards for the advice he gave the coalition parties before they won the premiership election and formed the new government.

As Kaniva news has also reported, Setita has described Lavulavu’s complaint using the Tongan word “fakanāfala”- a word coined from cricket for the hit made by a batsman who has not made sure of his target.

She told us TBC has consulted two lawyers before she released the news.

“We are not prepared to agree to the terms of Lavulavu’s offer and if Lavulavu files proceedings, we will defend ourselves,” she said.

“The news was clear of breaking any laws of the government of Tonga and the news did not breach any of TBC’s policies and regulations.”

For more information

Lavulavu wants TBC to investigate staff over allegedly defamatory reports; broadcaster says it “was clear of breaking any laws”
Lavulavu claims incriminating audio doctored, threatened to sue Tonga Broadcasting Commission and others

Rugby League Invitational XIII showed what is possible when unity prevails, King tells players

By
Philip Cass
-

Players were the heroes who inspired young people, King Tupou VI told members of the Rugby Invitational XIII this week.

Speaking at  ceremony at his residence, His Majesty said players provide inspiration for young people.

“Sport in Tonga has never been about divisions,” the king said.

“It has been about unity and peace; putting aside divisions and uniting under the banner of sport.

“We can do more if we are united as this rugby league team has shown us and the world in the recent past.”

The king said sport was about putting aside divisions, seeing the larger picture and doing the right thing.

“Imagine what we could do if we were all united and pulling in the same direction,” he said.

After his speech, His Majesty bestowed the Most Illustrious Order of Queen Salote to a number of players.

Yesterday, Friday 25, was declared a public holiday to celebrate the Invitational XIII’s wins over the British Lions and the Kangaroos.

A parade of 21 vehicles was scheduled to take the players to the Teufaiva Sport Stadium.

Determination

The team’s victories have reinforced the determination of the players to refuse to have anything to do with the Tongan Rugby National League.

A bitter dispute broke out  between the players and the game’s administration after coach Kristian Woolf was sacked. He was later re-installed at the insistence of the game’s international ruling body.

Jason Taumalolo told the NRL’s official website: “We will not reconcile nor play under the current board members.”

“The attempts to publicly discredit the players and the staff of the group that represented the Tonga Invitational XIII means that is out of the question.”

The  main points

  • Players were the heroes who inspired young people, King Tupou VI told members of the Rugby Invitational XIII this week.
  • Speaking at  ceremony at his residence, His Majesty said players provide inspiration for young people.

For more information

Tonga’s rugby league celebrations to continue

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/403338/sport-tonga-s-rugby-league-celebrations-to-continue

Stars call for new Tongan administration amid wild celebrations

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/11/14/stars-call-for-new-tongan-administration-amid-wild-celebrations/
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