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Armed Forces threatens action over weapon import claims, but Police Minister describes threat as is ‘imprudent’

By
Kalino Latu
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Police Minister Māteni Tapueluelu has clashed with Commander Taniela Tuita of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

The two have exchanged a barrage of words after Hon. Tapueluelu claimed the importations by the Forces after the king dissolved Parliament last year of ammunition was unlawful.

In a statement in Tongan released to Kaniva News and other news media Commander Tuita threatened that the Armed Forces would respond according to the law to anybody who did anything unlawful.

Commander Tuita said the accusation against the Forces has degraded its reputation. He said the Armed Forces was ready if the Minister of Police took legal action against them.

Commander Tuita said claims that the “purchase” (fakatau mai) was unlawful were untrue.

In response, Hon. Tapueluelu told Kaniva New, the Armed Forces “was lying” in its statement.

Hon. Tapueluelu said he did not say the purchase was unlawful.

“What I have said, and I am saying, and I will be standing by it, was that the ‘importation’ was unlawful,” the Minister said.

The Minister said he did not take the Forces threat lightly.

“It has threatened the public,” Hon. Tapueluelu said.

“These are people who suffered after tropical cyclone Gita.”

“They are trying to rebuild their homes and help each other in this time of difficulties.”

He said it was imprudent of the Armed Forces to make such threats to people who are living at peace.

Hon. Tapueluelu warned that making warnings for the purpose of keeping the peace in the country was his responsibility and that of his Ministry, not the Armed Forces.

Hon. Tapueluelu told Kaniva News the only reason the Armed Forces agreed for the Police and Customs to seize the shipments was because the importation was unlawful.

He claimed the Forces Brigadier came to his office and apologised for what had happened.

Armed Forces denial

Commander Tuita said : “His Majesty’s Armed Forces has vehemently denied the claim which had been released saying the Forces unlawfully purchased ammunition which arrived in Tonga between August and December 2017.”

“This accusation has no legal basis or truth,” Tuita said.

Tuita claimed that after a meeting with the Police Minister to clarify the issue, the ammunition and weapons were returned to the control of the Police.

He said the purpose of returning the shipments was to give the Police Minister the opportunity to confirm the legal basis of the importation.

Tuita claimed the Forces talked to the government’s procurement department in 2016 in an attempt to import the ammunition. The purchase was budgeted in the 2016 – 17 financial year. A total of 80 per cent the payment was processed in January 11, 2017 and the remaining 20 per cent was paid in June 2017.

He said the Forces applied for a permit to import the ammunition on October 2. 2017, The permit was approved on October 6, 2017.

As Kaniva News reported on March 3, the approval was signed by Police Deputy Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa. Hon. Tapueluelu said Fa’aoa had no power to do this.

Tuita said the VOEA Neiafu arrived in Tonga with the first shipment from Australia on October 6, 2017. He claimed Cabinet approved the request on October 13, 2017 and after it was cleared by Custom it was delivered to Taliai camp. The second shipment arrived from New Zealand on December 6 2017.

He admitted, the Forces returned the first shipment to Police and the second shipment to the Ministry of Customs. He said the amount of ammunition and weapon imported were far too small for the training and preparation of the army for the next five years.

Cabinet approval

Hon. Tapueluelu said the decision of Cabinet to waive duty to which Tuita referred to, was meant for a request from the king through his Lord Chamberlain to the Minister of Police to allow an importation of firearms and 600 ammunition for His Majesty.

Lord Ma’afu, the then Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, submitted the request to Cabinet. Hon. Tapueluelu said because he was unaware of the controversial importation Fa’ao had approved, he supported Cabinets decision to allow the king’s request.

He said when he returned home for the day his ministerial driver passed him a letter seeking his signature on an application to import ammunition.

It was a letter from the Armed Forces to approve the importation of ammunition. He said he immediately became aware there was something wrong as Cabinet had just approved a request about a shipment of ammunition. He returned to his office the following day and after tracing back documents, it became clear this was not the king’s request.

He said the request related to the importation of 400,000 rounds which had been approved by Deputy Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa. He said he did not know why they sought his signature after it was first approved by Fa’aoa.

The law

Hon. Tapueluelu said according to section 15 of the Arms and Ammunition Act, Chapter 20 Laws of Tonga, Revised Edition 2016, all applications for the importation of ammunition could only be approved by the Minister of Police.

The relevant section says:

(1) No person shall import any arm or ammunition or parts of arms and ammunition into the Kingdom from a place without the Kingdom unless he holds a licence in that behalf:

(2) Such licence may be obtained on application to the Minister of Police on payment of the prescribed fee and shall be in the prescribed form.

(3) Every holder of such licence shall endorse thereon descriptive particulars of all arms and ammunition or parts of arms and ammunition imported thereunder, and shall return such licence to the Minister of Police or to the nearest police station within 3 days from the expiration of the terms allowed thereby.

Reloading machines were unlawful

As Kaniva News reported, three reloading machines were imported by the Forces which were seized by Police.

These machines were made to assemble ammunition  by re-using cases or shells that had previously been fired.

Hon. Tapueluelu claimed the machines were prohibited under the law which banned the manufacturing of arms in Tonga.

The law says:

  • Any person who manufactures any arm or ammunition shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to both such imprisonment and fine.

For more information

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the king

Tapueluelu returns to office as relationship with Police commissioner loom large

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Minister of Police has returned to his office after Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva rejected his shock resignation.

Hon. Tapueluelu confirmed he has returned to work.

The Prime Minister said Tapueluelu resigned after he felt his cabinet colleagues were not keen to support a cabinet submission he initiated to sack Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell.

In his email to Kaniva News yesterday it appeared the Minister’s working relationship with Mr. Caldwell was still in trouble.

Hon. Tapueluelu  told us he was concerned at “lack of supervision” by the Ministry of Police under the control of Mr Caldwell.

Hon. Tapueluelu referred to recent criminal activities including a jailbreak last month which saw five prisoners fleeing a prison in Nukunuku and disappeared into the community.

Hon. Tapueluelu said two of these prisoners were later arrested and charged in relation to the death of a Chinese couple Police found their bodies in a bush allotment in Matafonua on February 25.

The Minister said he was concerned that this had happened while the king was in China.

He said the alleged killing of the Chinese couple came after an American citizen, Dean Jay Fletcher, who was accused of killing his wife in Vava’u, escaped a prison in Neiafu in 2016 and managed to flee the kingdom and arrived in Samoa.

Fletcher was then escorted to Hawai’i where the US authorities eventually freed him.

Hon. Tapueluelu claimed no one in the Vava’u Police had been held accountable after the Fletcher case.

Caldwell told Kaniva News in an email that he is confined by what he can say publicly on individual criminal and disciplinary cases currently under investigation.

As we reported, concerns at whether or not any disciplinary actions were made against Vava’u Police officers in regard to Fletcher’s case had been raised in a petition to the Police Minister by three suspended Officers last month.

Mr Caldwell said the complaints were not new to him and claimed those cases had been relitigated on previous occasions.

For further information

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the king

Complaint lodged with Police; agony as family lose second pet to hunters

By
Kalino Latu
-

The business family who owned the Liku’alofa beach resort and restaurant have spoken out after a second family pet was shot dead by hunters.

Tautala Ma’afu, who owned the business, told Kaniva News her family and the small Liku’alofa community were devastated after their pet pig Bingo was killed yesterday.

As Kaniva News reported, a video clip shared on social media yesterday showed a school girl in despair after her pet pig Bingo was shot dead.

In the video, the tearful girl was seen weeping and lamenting the loss of her pet.

Ma’afu said they raised the pig together with a pet dog which was named Max.

“They grew up together and became the pets of the Resort.

“All guests and tourists adore these two.  They fed them, they took photos with them.  Max n Bingo go together all the time and they even swim together in the sea,” she said.

However, after two years someone shot Max and they never saw him again.

Bingo was three years old when he died yesterday.

She said Bingo, also known as “our beach pet pig” made their resort different from any other resorts.

“This is not an ordinary pig it’s worth more than just a pig,” she said.

“Bingo was too heavy and he likes to sleep on veranda of the bungalows or under the trees because it was cool.

“Yesterday Bingo was sleeping under the tree when this man with his nephew came around hunting for animals and saw the pig lying under the tree.

“They shot the pig a few times, we heard the pig crying and we ran there and found the man standing there with the gun.

“We were there right on time because these two were pulling the pig away to steal.

“They told us that they thought that it was a wild boar.

“They left after we told them it was our pig.  They knew for sure it was our pet.”

Tautala said the little girl who was crying in the video when the pig was dead was their niece who always play with Bingo all the time.

“It was not only her that cried, we cried too.  We lost the pet which makes our resort different from any other Resort.  This is not an ordinary pig it’s worth more than just a pig.

She claimed the man who shot the Bingo lived in tent in one of the beaches.

She said they have lodged a complaint with Police.

For further information

Heartbreaking video of girl crying after her pet pig was found shot dead

Faletau to captain Wales for the first time against Italy

By
Kaniva Staff
-

This article appeared on Raidió Teilifís Éireann website

Taulupe Faletau will captain Wales and Scarlets flanker James Davies makes his Test debut in Sunday’s NatWest 6 Nations clash against Italy in Cardiff.

Davies, younger brother of Wales and British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan, is – as expected – among 10 changes made by head coach Warren Gatland following a 37-27 defeat against Ireland 11 days ago.

And fit-again Bath number eight Faletau skippers a team that also sees wing George North, centre Owen Watkin, fly-half Gareth Anscombe and hooker Elliot Dee handed starts.

“It is a great opportunity for Taulupe, he is a world class player, hugely experienced and this will be great for his development and we are looking forward to seeing those leadership qualities come through,” said head coach Warren Gatland.

“We have made some changes, but we are bringing in a lot of quality and a lot of experience with the likes of Bradley Davies, Justin Tipuric, George North and Taulupe.

“Add into that James Davies who gets his first cap, Elliot Dee who gets his first start – this is a great opportunity for them to play tournament rugby.

“It is challenging making changes, but we have picked a really exciting team and Sunday is their chance.”

The five starting survivors from Dublin are Liam Williams, who moves from wing to full-back instead of Leigh Halfpenny, wing Steff Evans, centre Hadleigh Parkes, scrum-half Gareth Davies and lock Cory Hill.

Regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones is rested, while Gatland has opted for a new-look back-row of Davies, Justin Tipuric in the number six shirt and Faletau, who makes a first appearance in this season’s tournament and captains his country for the first time.

Wales (v Italy): Liam Williams; George North, Owen Watkin, Hadleigh Parks, Steff Evans; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, Tomas Francis; Cory Hill, Bradley Davies; Justin Tipuric, James Davies, Taulupe Faletau

New Zealand increases cyclone funds after PM Ardern meets Hon. Pōhiva

By
Kalino Latu
-

New Zealand will provide an extra NZ$10 million for post cyclone reconstruction, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in Tonga today.

She made the announcement after meeting with Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akiliksi Pōhiva.

Hon. Pōhiva welcomed Ms Ardern to Tonga yesterday and thanked New Zealand for its help with the recovery from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gita.

Today Ms Ardern was due to attend a Women’s Leadership Breakfast, visit Fasi moe Afi Government Primary School and the village of Pili.

At the school Ms Ardern saw school children learning in the tents they have been using since the cyclone destroyed several classrooms.

At the school she handed over school materials funded by the New Zealand-funded Pacific Literacy and School Leadership Programme.

She also visited the temporary Parliament House, where she was received by the speaker, Hon. Fakafanua.

This the first time Ms Ardern’s has paid an official visit to Tonga since becoming Prime Minister.

During the New Zealand delegation’s visit to Tonga, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the appointment of Tiffany Babbington as High Commissioner to Tonga.

New Zealand is committed to investing $NZ64.6m on energy, policing, justice and education in Tonga over the next three years.

Prime Minister Ardern has been visiting Pacific Islands with a delegation of New Zealand officials and politicians and is due to end her tour in the Cook Islands.

Time for a parting of the ways with Lord Ma‘afu, says Prime Minister

By
Philip Cass
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Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said today he regarded Lord Ma’afu as his son, but the time had come for a parting of the ways.

“I selected him to help me in steering our government after the elections in 2014 and again in 2017,” Hon. Pōhiva said.

“Sadly, it is obvious that we disagree on a number of things.”

The Prime Minister was reacting to the circulation online of comments by Lord Ma’afu to the staff of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

Lord Ma’afu resigned recently as Minister for Land and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Hon. Pōhiva said Lord Ma’afu had alleged that on March 3 Cabinet had discussed a Cabinet Submission recommending that Cabinet approve the application by the Solicitor General to the Supreme Court for the judicial review of His Majesty’s prerogative to assent to or veto a piece of legislation that had already been adopted by the Legislative Assembly.

He also alleged that the Prime Minister had not wanted him to attend the meeting as his presence could give rise to a prolonged dispute.

The Prime Minister said Lord Ma’afu has also alleged that Hon. Pōhiva had wrongly accused him of having signed a Regulation authorising Life Peers to register as candidates in the election of Noble’s representatives to the Legislative Assembly, while the Prime Minister was on an official trip overseas.

“While I attended the annual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in Samoa in September 2017, Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi was Acting Prime Minister of Tonga,” Hon. Pōhiva said.

“As Acting Prime Minister, Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi made the “Electoral (Election of Representatives of the Nobles) Regulations 2017”, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 9B of the Electoral Act 1989.

“This Regulation authorised Life Peers to be candidates in the upcoming elections for Nobles’ Representatives to the Legislative Assembly in November 2017.

“Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi made this Electoral Regulations without informing the rest of the members of Cabinet, or the rest of members of the Nobles of the Realm, or the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, or the Attorney General’s Office, or the Solicitor General’s Office.”

He said Lord Ma’afu should have at least informed the other members of the Nobles of the Realm and the rest of Cabinet.

The Prime Minister said that while Cabinet had discussed a Cabinet Submission regarding His Majesty’s prerogative to assent to or veto legislations that had already been adopted by the Legislative Assembly is correct, it was not the intention of the Cabinet Submission to seek a judicial review of His Majesty’s prerogative.

“The current Cabinet, and the Government that I lead, respects and supports that particular Royal prerogative as we believe it is an absolutely essential element of the system of government that we had agreed to,” Hon. Pōhiva said.

“The aim of the Cabinet Submission that we discussed was to seek a judicial review of the right of the Privy Council to approve or disapprove a piece of legislation that had already been adopted by the Legislative Assembly.”

The Constitution did not give any authority to the Privy Council to approve or disapprove a piece of legislation that had been adopted by the Legislative Assembly, but five pieces of legislation that had been passed by the Legislative Assembly between 2014 and 2016 had been deferred by the Council, he said.

“Some of these had been adopted by the Legislative Assembly during Lord Tu’ivakano’s term as Prime Minister,” he said.

“The Hon Minister for Justice tabled the Cabinet Submission that was discussed after it had been vetted by a legal expert in his Ministry and vetted by the Solicitor General. This was discussed on March 3 and Cabinet agreed to defer their final decision.”

For more information

Life peers agree with king to not stand as candidates in elections, AG says

King’s judicial committee causes instability in the country, Justice Minister says

Lord Ma’afu resigns as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources

Heartbreaking video of girl crying after her pet pig was found shot dead

By
Kalino Latu
-

Please click on – Watch on Facebook – above to watch the video on Facebook.

A video shared on social media showed a school girl in despair after her pet pig Bingo was shot dead apparently by a hunter.

The tearful girl wept and lamented the loss of her pet.

A young boy who was standing by the lifeless pig and appeared upset was overheard saying the pig was shot.

After the video was posted on Facebook, commenters shared their memories of losing their own pets when they were younger.

One wrote: ‘I remember the feeling of losing a pet you love for the first time in my life. It’s devastating.”

“For a child to realise that something you love is never going to come back is a real tragedy,” another wrote in Tongan.

The video was uploaded to Liku’alofa resort’s Facebook page yesterday.  Various  viral  accounts have shared the images and received hundreds on ‘reactions’ and shares.

The Liku’alofa owner has confirmed the incident to Kaniva News.

The video was accompanied by a caption in Tongan: “Lolotonga e tau kei fkakeake mei a Gita Kuo hanga mai ae kau fkehaua ia moe kau kaiha’a puaka o sii fanai a Bingo oku sii lolotonga mohe pe I Likualofa ??? te mau mate he sii tangi R.I.P. Bingo.”

This translates into English as: “While we recover from Cyclone Gita the tormentors and robbers shot Bingo while she was asleep in Liku’alofa. We could not stop crying. R.I.P Bingo.”

Some commentators sympathised with the girl while others share their outrage at the killing labelling the action as “barbaric.”


China aid to Tonga comes ‘with no string attached’, Chinese president told King

By
Kaniva Staff
-

This article appeared on Global Times  

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing with Tonga’s King Tupou VI Thursday, and they agreed to further promote the strategic partnership between China and Tonga.

During their talks held in the Great Hall of the People, Xi said King Tupou VI has made historic contribution to China-Tonga ties and he hoped that the royal family of Tonga would continue to play a positive role in the development of bilateral ties.

This year marks 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Tonga diplomatic ties. Tupou VI came to China in the capacity of foreign and defense minister 20 years ago to sign a communique to establish diplomatic relations.

Xi said China and the Pacific island countries including Tonga were good friends and partners.

“It is put forward at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that China will advance a new form of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation and a community with a shared future for mankind,” Xi said.

He called on both countries to enhance exchanges at all levels and strengthen political mutual trust, continue to support and understand each other on issues concerning sovereignty, territory integrity and national dignity.

Xi encouraged the two countries to expand communication and exchanges between government departments and legislature bodies, dig up potential in cooperation in various areas and forge ahead with cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Noting that China knows well the challenges small developing island countries such as Tonga faced with during their economic and social development, Xi said China was willing to continue to provide Tonga with economic and technological assistance within its capability and would never attach any political conditions to such assistance.

He said China would fulfill all its promises to let more local people benefit from China-Tonga cooperation.

Xi also said that China would like to enhance cooperation with Tonga on climate change and strengthen exchanges with Pacific island countries.

Tupou VI, who arrived in Beijing Wednesday for a nine-day state visit, first congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress.

Speaking highly of Xi’s “visionary and talented leadership,” Tupou VI said he believed that China would score even greater achievements under Xi’s leadership.

He said Tonga attached great importance to the relationship with China and appreciated China’s support and assistance to the country, especially the assistance provided immediately after it was hit by a recent hurricane.

“Tonga agrees with China on its vision to build a new type of international relations and stands ready to work with China to build a community with a shared future for mankind,” the King said.

He said Tonga firmly adhered to the one-China policy.

Noting that Tonga was willing to enhance cooperation with China in areas including trade, infrastructural construction and under the Belt and Road Initiative, Tupou VI said he hoped China could help Tonga to realize greater development and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Tonga supports China in deepening ties with Pacific island countries, he said.

After the talks, the two countries signed seven agreements in areas including economic and technological cooperation, human resources and education with the witness of the two heads of state.

The two countries issued a joint press communique Thursday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also met with King Tupou VI Thursday afternoon in Beijing.

Li called on the two countries to consolidate political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges and integrate the Belt and Road Initiative and Tonga’s development strategy.

“China supports the major production projects, infrastructure and projects related to people’s well-being in Tonga,” Li said, adding that “China is willing to have agricultural technology exchanges with Tonga, and the Chinese market also welcomes high-quality agricultural and fishery products from Tonga.”

Li also extended his condolences over the tropical cyclone damage in Tonga and reiterated that China would offer as much help as possible.

King Tupou VI said Tonga was ready to cooperate more with China in education, infrastructure, agriculture and food to realize win-win results.

Besides Beijing, Tupou VI will also visit the eastern province of Zhejiang and southern provinces of Hainan and Guangdong during his nine-day stay in China.

Mates killed in ‘Atele crash laid to rest

By
Kalino Latu
-

Catholics and Protestants came together in grief for the funerals of Fangufangumana Jr Lātū and Sōsefo Kalangalupe Lōloa.

Services for the men were held one after the other at different churches, with the two families attending both.

Lōloa’s coffin was carried into the Catholic chapel of Sangato Mikaele yesterday, Monday 4, in Lapaha.

Fangufangumana’s body was laid to rest on Sunday.

A matāpule who spoke at Loma, the Catholic cemetery in Lapaha,  told mourners Lōloa’s death was a “great loss to the family.”

A SUTT church in Fasimoeafi was also packed as Lātū’s family came together with friends and relatives to pray for the soul of their beloved son.

Lātū and Lōloa, who were known best friends since they were at high school died after a car they were passengers in crashed with a van on February 24.

As Kaniva News reported, a third person died in Vaiola hospital after the crash.

The deceased were on their way from Lapaha after a barbecue party.

Sōsefo was a teacher at Lōtolu Government Middle school for about 10 years before he was moved to teach at Talafo’ou Government Middle School this year.

Kaniva News understands Fangufangumana was a Biology teacher and he held a post of Teaching Assistant at the University of the South Pacific’s Centre of Forensic Science, Tonga campus.

For further information

Crash victims were “teachers and best friends” while at high school: wife

Pacific Islands are canary in the coal mine for climate change says Minister

By
Philip Cass
-

Vanuatu and Tuvalu are the canary in the coal mine that will sound the alarm for climate change, according to New Zealand’s Minister for Pacific Peoples Apito William Sio.

The Minister has used the example of the two island groups as the centre point for an education campaign about climate change he began when he was in opposition.

He said people had different levels of knowledge and feelings about climate change.

“People in the know have a sense of urgency,” the Minister told Kaniva News.

“But we also have people who don’t know.”

“There is a lot of work to do.”

The Minister visited Tuvalu and Kiribati in 2016 and has since shown videos he made depicting the effects of climate change on the islands and their people as part of his education campaign.

They videos feature local people talking about climate change and how it is affecting their lives.

Hon. Sio said extreme climate events were becoming more regular.

There were prolonged periods of wetter, dryer and hotter climates, with king tides occurring more regularly.

In Kiribati, coastal flooding destroyed crops, homes and grave sites.

Ground water pollution led to unsafe drinking water, which caused diarrhoea, waterborne Diseases and contributed to child deaths.

The Islands also faced continuing problems with waste management, food insecurity, growing populations and reliance on imported goods.

However, the people and governments of Kiribati and Tuvalu were working to defend their islands.

In Kiribati the government was building a seawall made of rocks imported from Fiji and in Tuvalu they were reclaiming the seafront.

Planting mangroves to hold the beach and foreshore together was also part of the Islands’ defences.

“This is about our children,” Hon. Sio said.

“Remember the canary in the coal mine. When it dies, we are all in danger.”

 

For more information

Kiribati video

Tuvalu video

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