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PM Pōhiva pays tribute to Chinese couple killed in Lakepa

By
Kalino Latu
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The Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has given foreigners a warm welcome and said  Tonga was a safe and secure country to live in.

Hon. Pōhiva’s statement was made in a tribute to a Chinese couple who were found dead on February 25 in Matafonua, Lakepa.

The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Wen, who were at their 50s, were found in a bush allotment with obvious wounds.

Police have charged two male teenagers aged 17 and 15 in relation to the couple’s death.

The Hon. Prime Minister said: “Words cannot express how deeply sad and angry I am to know that Mr. and Mrs. Wen were killed in a most violent way. I am also very sad to know that the alleged assailants are a 15 year old and a 17 year old”.

“To Mr. and Mrs. Wen’s son and family, I apologise from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the Government and people of Tonga. That is not how Tongans treat visitors to our shores and those who have chosen to make Tonga their home”, the Hon Prime Minister said.

The couple used to sell vegetables at the Talamahu vegetable market as well as at road-side stalls in Fanga’o Pilolevu.

They were well-known to people, the statement said.

“Mrs. Wen was reportedly to be especially loved by women shoppers who she all called, “My sister!”

The Hon Prime Minister also said: “Let me take the opportunity to reassure all visitors to Tonga that you are most welcome here and that Tonga is your home too. And the Tonga Government and the Tonga Police will do everything within its powers to ensure that you are safe and secure here.”

Prior to Mr. and Mrs. Wen’s death, an Australian woman was seriously injured as a result of a violent home invasion and robbery in the village of Fahefa on Tongatapu. The two assailants are also in Police custody.

Hon. Pōhiva also thanked “Tonga Police for their quick action in apprehending those allegedly responsible for these violent offences against visitors to our shores”.

Fundraising event for cyclone on March 15

By
Philip Cass
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The New Zealand Tonga Business Council will host a fundraising event for Cyclone Gita on March 15.

The Pacific Co-operation Foundation said all funds raised will be donated to Cyclone Gita relief.

“This presents an ideal opportunity for the business community here in Aotearoa to support the NZ Tonga Business Council in this wonderful and much-needed initiative,” the PCF said.

This is the latest project to raise funds for the kingdom, which was devastated when the cyclone struck.

A number of aid agencies and Pacific leaders have said that the  best way to help Tonga is by donating money.

New Zealand Red Cross Pacific spokesperson Malia Tua’i said cash was the fastest, most effective way to help.

However, other groups have taken a different approach.

The head of the Tonga Advisory Council, Melino Maka, told Radio New Zealand six containers filled with donations were expected to be despatched to Tonga over the weekend.

He said Matsons Shipping had donated six containers.

He said the Hahake, or eastern districts, was where the worst of the damage occurred.

The main points

  • The New Zealand Tonga Business Council will host a fundraising event for Cyclone Gita on March 15.
  • The Pacific Co-operation Foundation said all funds raised will be donated to Cyclone Gita relief.
  • This is the latest project to raise funds for the kingdom, which was devastated when the cyclone struck.

For more information

Tongans in NZ filling containers for Gita victims in Tonga

Red Cross supporting Pacific communities Gita cleanup continues

Man dies in hospital following ‘Umutangata crash Sunday

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man involved in a serious crash in ‘Umutangata, Fo’ui yesterday Sunday 4 has died.

‘Aisake Lavelua, 36,  died in Vaiola Hospital yesterday Monday 5  from injuries he sustained when a Nissan Elgrand he and five others were occupying rolled over and crashed into a power pole.

As Kaniva news reported, Police and community authorities responded to reports of an apparent single-vehicle rollover crash in Fo’ui.

Police have confirmed today the driver lost control of the steering wheel before the van crashed into a power pole.

One woman remains in hospital in serious conditions.

An aunty of the deceased who we chose not to be named because she was not authorised to speak to media on behalf of the family said she shared the story about the accident yesterday on Facebook without knowing her nephew was involved.

She said she just found it out after she was contacted by Kaniva news after their reporters spotted she was tagged by a family member on Facebook in one of the posts regarding Lavelua’s death.

“Although we clashed in public, we still talked to each other”, says PM’s new media advisor

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has appointed a former political friend who once turned against him and they repeatedly clashed in public to become his new political and media advisor.

Lōpeti Senituli has confirmed to Kaniva News he began on his new posts last week.

Senituli was a press secretary to former Prime Minister Lord Sevele, another political friend of Hon. Pōhiva who eventually turned against him and became one of Hon. Pōhiva’s fierce political rivals.

Senituli said he saw no problem at all in having to work together again with Hon. Pōhiva.

“Although we clashed in public in the past, especially when I played the same role for the former Prime Minister, Lord Sevele, we still talked to each other in private and ensured that there was continuing dialogue going on behind the scenes and I did that with the full approval of Lord Sevele,” Senituli said.

“Remember also that our friendship and commitment to ‘Democracy’ dates back to the days when we were undergraduate students at USP in Suva in the mid 1970s. So I am confident I can do the job with the dedication and the love and the independence that it warrants.”

Senituli said he was asked by Hon. Pōhiva to become his advisor.

“He had also asked me last year in preparation for the general elections after the dissolution of the Fale Alea to stand as a candidate for PTOA from Tongatapu 5 but I had turned him down because I wanted to concentrate on my university studies for a law degree which I was doing from the USP Tonga Campus.

“This year was my third year as a law student. When he asked me to become his adviser I felt that I could not turn him down the second time in light of his ill health and the enormity of the task that lies ahead of him as Prime Minister in the wake of TC Gita,” Senituli said.

Senituli returned to Tonga in 2000 because Hon. Pōhiva, the leader of the Pro-Democracy Movement at the time, had asked him to return and set up the Movement’s office which became legally registered as the “Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democracy Movement”.

“Prior to that I was also instrumental in raising the funds internationally that enabled the first Pro-Democracy Convention to be held at the Basilica in 1992.”

Clashes

Senituli was a press secretary to Lord Sevele in 2006 before and following November 2006 riots, which destroyed up to 80 percent of the Nuku’alofa city’s businesses.

Hon. Pōhiva claimed Senituli sent a report to the University of the South Pacific and he labeled the crisis as a “coup detat”.

In response, Hon. Pōhiva claimed it was people’s upheaval  “activated by suppressive and dictatorial measures and continuous refusal of government to listen and respond to people’s grievances over a long period of time.”

For further information

Pohiva: I won because people helped make it happen

Move to dismiss Caldwell reveals concerns over importation of ‘prohibited’ guns and ammunition

By
Kalino Latu
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A Cabinet submission by the Minister of Police to dismiss Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell has revealed concerns over an importation of prohibited weapon and large amounts of ammunition by Armed Forces and Police after His Majesty dissolved Parliament last year.

Two shipments of reloading machines, guns and ammunition which arrived in Tonga before the November snap election were seized by the Ministry of Customs and Police after an order by Minister of Police Māteni Tapueluelu.

Hon. Tapueluelu told Kaniva News the reloading machines were prohibited in Tonga

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

Only the Minister of Police had the power to authorise any importation of weapons to the country,  he said.

Hon. Tapueluelu said he was concerned after he found out the request by the Armed Forces to allow them to import the firearms bypassed his office and was addressed to the Police Commissioner who, he said, had no power to approve it.

Hon. Tapueluelu said he was also concerned about the timing of the order of the weapon and its arrival in Tonga after Parliament was dissolved.

He described the amount as “too large” compared to the population of Tonga and the Armed Forces.

He said he was worried that the Police ordered ammunition while existing stocks met current requirements.

Prime Minister vs Lord Ma’afu

It is understood the claims by Hon. Tapueluelu had concerned Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva while his government was in caretaker mode after the dissolution.

Lord Ma’afu was the Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces at the time the weapons were ordered and the shipments arrived in Tonga.

It is also understood this was one of the reasons why Hon. Pōhiva planned to remove Lord Ma’afu from the portfolio after his party won last year’s snap election.

But after a meeting with the king, Hon. Pōhiva re-appointed Lord Ma’afu as Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

It was not clear whether the Prime Minister informed the king about the importation of the weapons.

Lord Ma’afu resigned last week after the Minister of Police submitted his proposal to the Cabinet. Hon. Pohiva accepted his resignation. The reason for Lord Ma’afu stepping down has not been made public.

Lord Ma’afu could not be reached for comment.

Deputy Commissioner Fa’aoa left Tonga

Documents seen by Kaniva News appear to show that Deputy Commissioner of Police ‘Unga Fa’aoa signed and approved a letter by Commander Sione Lino of His Majesty’s Armed Forces on October 2, 2017.

The letter sought the Commissioner of Police’s approval to import firearms and ammunition including 100,000 rounds of 14085 ammunition, 300,000 rounds of 5.56 mm FIAI ball cartridges, 150,000 small pistol primers, three reloading machines and 38, 000 ADI 5.56.

Hon. Tapueluelu claimed the Deputy Commissioner Fa’aoa had no power to approve the Armed Forces request.

The weapons were ordered from New Zealand from Ordnance Development Ltd, Castlecliff, Whanganui.

It is understood Fa’aoa left Tonga for the United States last year.

Move to dismiss Police Commissioner

The submission to dismiss Caldwell was submitted to Cabinet on February 26, one day before Hon. Tapueluelu tendered his resignation, which Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva did not accept.

The Prime Minister said Hon. Tapueluelu wanted to resign because, he was frustrated and believed there was a lack of support for his submission from his Cabinet colleagues.

Hon. Tapueluelu’s submission read: “Honourable Members of Cabinet are invited to consider and approve the recommendation to the Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel and to Privy Council the dismissal of Police Commissioner Stephen John Caldwell, under Section 13 (b) and (c), of the Tonga Police Act 2010.”

It said the purpose of this submission was to seek approval of the Hon. Cabinet Ministers to recommend to the Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel, to dismiss the Commissioner of Police.

Hon. Tapueluelu’s submission claimed Commissioner Caldwell had said the signing by Fa’aoa was likely the result of “human error.”

Hon. Tapueluelu said Fa’aoa was also a lawyer and he should have known better.

Hon. Tapueluelu said that on November 21, 2017, he advised Caldwell, in writing of what he considered to be a serious breach of discipline by the Deputy Commissioner.

He said he told Caldwell Fa’aoa had approved the order without consulting or seeking the Minister’s approval for the importation of ammunition and reloading machines on October 4, 2017.

“Deputy Fa’aoa’s ignorance of the Laws of Tonga, is a serious breach of Discipline, as it is ruled that applications for importation of ammunitions, should and can only be approved by the Minister of Police…”, the Minister’s submission to Cabinet said..

Police order without permission

Hon. Tapueluelu said Police also ordered ammunition from New Zealand around the same time without a permit.

“Usually I countersign orders from overseas, but not in this case,” said Hon. Tapueluelu.

“It was during the Christmas season that the Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashley Fua asked that I approve the importation of ammunition worth of $20,000 already ordered and in the warehouse in New Zealand.

“I asked for the current stock of ammunition in Tonga and was informed there were 10,800 rounds of  ammunition in stock. I sought advice from the Head Operation of Tactical Response Unit, Sikulu Fakateli and was informed that stock was enough.

“Consequently my office saw no need to approve this order. They ordered prior to asking for approval hoping they can force my office to an approval without proper consideration of the circumstances.”

Hon. Tapueluelu alleged no disciplinary action had been taken against the Deputy Commissioner.

For more information

PM Pōhiva confirmed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Ma’afu for Defence after meeting with king

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

Police on the scene of a crash in Tufumāhina

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police are on the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Tufumāhina, Tongatapu this evening Sunday 4.

Our correspondent in Tonga said there were injuries but he could not confirm their conditions and the number of people being injured after the accident which occurred at about 11pm.

The crash came after Kaniva News reported an apparent single-vehicle rollover crash on a main road in ‘Umutangata, Fo’ui this morning.

Two women and a man were rushed to hospital in serious conditions, one report said.

That incident came after five people died last week in two separate vehicle crashes.

As Kaniva News reported, three people died in Tongatapu in a two-vehicle crash.

Two days later a single-crash in Neiafu, Vava’u claimed two lives.

Man stabbed to death in Tongatapu, authority says

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 22-year-old man died in Fangaloto after he was allegedly stabbed to death this afternoon Sunday 4, a hospital spokesperson has confirmed to Kaniva News.

Authority believed drinking was involved.

No further details were available, the spokesperson said.

The death came after four people had been arrested and charged after three various murder cases were reported in Tongatapu last month.

As Kaniva News reported, Police have arrested two male teenagers Thursday, March 1 and charged them with murder.

The move was made after two bodies of a Chinese couple were found in a bush allotment in Matafonua, Lakepa.

The couple in their early 50s were found with obvious injuries on their bodies in February 25, Police said.

On another murder case, an 18-year-old suspect was charged with murder on February 13. Police later named the suspect as Lotu Tu’ifufu.

Tu’ifufu was charged after his 18-year-old girl friend died in a road in ‘Umusī, near Fangaloto on February 13.

Before that a Te’ekiu man was arrested after another man was killed and his body was found near a road in Fatai, Hihifo, on February 4.

The victim has been stabbed and he died in hospital upon arrival, Police said.

Hateni Kaufusi, 32,  was arrested and is in Police custody after.

Ministry of Justice CEO dies

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tonga civil servants community has mourned the loss of a fellow senior civil servant Sūsana Faletau.

Faletau served as Ministry of Justice CEO since 2016.

Her family and friends extended their “deepest sympathies” on social media.

“Your sudden and unexpected loss is so unbearable. RIL Susana, ofa lahi atu kiho famili during this difficult time,” a commentator wrote on Facebook.

“Life is way too short RIP Susana, we are all so shocked and still can’t believe you have left us,” another wrote. 

Faletau was instrumental in planning a new free community legal advice centre which is expected to be opened in Nuku’alofa this year.

The Centre will help survivors of domestic violence to apply for protection orders under the
Family Protection Act.

Serious crash reported on a Hihifo main road

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police and community authorities are responding to reports of an apparent single-vehicle rollover crash on a main road in ‘Umutangata, Fo’ui.

Two women and a man were rushed to hospital in serious conditions, one report said.

The incident came after five people died last week in two separate vehicle crashes.

As Kaniva News reported, three people died in Tongatapu in a two-vehicle crash.

Two days later a single-crash in Neiafu, Vava’u claimed two lives.

Police charge Minister of Internal Affairs and husband with fraud

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have arrested Minister of Internal Affairs and her husband and charged them with fraud.

Police commissioner Stephen Caldwell,  has confirmed that the Honourable Minister of Internal Affairs Mrs. ‘Akosita Havili Lavulavu, 33, and her husband, the former Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. ‘Etuate Sisitoutai Lavulavu aka ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, 59, were arrested today on various fraud related charges.

The charges are three counts for obtaining by false pretences, contrary to section  164 of the Criminal Offences Act and three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents, contrary to section 172 of the Criminal Offences Act.

Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said the charges relate to a referral made to Tonga Police by the Auditor General over a number of irregularities in an audit of ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.

As Kaniva News reported, the Auditor General’s office has recommended that the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute be referred to the police after massive discrepancies were found in its accounts.

The Institute, which began operations in 2004, was set up by disgraced former politician and Minister for Infrastructure, Etuate Lavulavu.

“The Auditor General’s office said hundreds of students supposedly attending the private school could not be identified and that the Institute should repay TP$553,800 to the Technical  Vocational Education and Training fund (TVET).”

Commissioner Caldwell said he wanted to send a clear message that no one is above  the law and the law would be enforced without fear or favour by the Tonga Police.

Matters are now before the courts and no further comment is to be made.

For further information:

Auditor General demands repayment as hundreds of students at private school can’t be found

Supreme Court finds Lavulavu guilty of bribery and calls his evidence ‘untruthful’  

Hon Lavulavu denies he told mechanical supervisor to fake TP$1 million valuation, threatens legal action

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