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Lulutai airlines worse than Real Tonga say critics as main aircraft is taken out of service

By
Kalino Latu
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Airline services in Tonga are worse than when the kingdom was served by Real Tonga, it was claimed this week.

Frustrated passengers have been venting their feelings about Lulutai Airlines since Tuesday’s announcement that it was withdrawing its 34 seat Saab 340 aircraft for urgent repairs.

The airline said its 17 seater Harbin Y12 was still flying.

Passengers had already been upset by unexpected delays and cancellations.

Critics said the previous Tu’i’onetoa government had promised better and cheaper services when it took away the license to operate from Real Tonga.

They said these promises were not fulfilled and that services were worse than when Real Tonga was flying.

On January 17 Lulutai sent out this urgent public notice:

“We regret to inform the public that our Saab aircraft must undertake urgent maintenance work, and will therefore be unable to conduct flights beginning Tuesday 17 January, 2023,” the airline said.

“We cannot at this stage estimate how long the maintenance work will take, but we will provide further public notices as more information comes to hand. We are also trying to charter an aircraft from overseas to assist.

“We ask all Vava’u and Ha’apai passengers booked to fly on the Saab to contact the nearest Lulutai Office to arrange a refund for your tickets, or for travel at another date.

“Although our other aircraft, the Y12 is still flying, we kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation as we prioritise passengers travelling for medical reasons, and passengers travelling to connect to international flights. Once again, we apologise for the inconvenience caused, but safety of air travel is our most important consideration.”

While news of the withdrawal of the Saab 340 was not a cause for celebration, the fact that the airline had issued a statement was greeted as a rare attempt by Lulutai Airlines to improve its communication with the public.

Here is how the statement was welcome by a popular group on Facebook known as Tonga Expats and Locals:

“Nice to see communication with the public to stop rumours, a huge blow to outer islands, let’s hope maintenance is swift and ferries can pickup the slack, communication of sched is prompt, book early… Students returning to school etç Clearly an unfolding issue.”

Cancellations

Passengers travelling from the outer islands have faced delays and cancellations in the past.

In December last year Kaniva News reported that flights from Vava’u had been cancelled and that Lulutai airlines had been accused of failing to refund or reapprove passengers whose flights had been cancelled.

Former MP Sunia Manu Fili said at the time that Lulutai airlines was the poorest service ever in the kingdom.

“Ko e maulalo taha eni he fakahoko fatongia ki he fepunaaki ko e kautaha lulutai, ikai ha poto pe taukei”, he said in Tongan.

He accused the national airline of lacking experience and skills.

In November 2021 we reported that the then government had reached an in-principle agreement to sell the national airlines to the privately-owned Flyniu airlines.

For more information

Lulutai Airlines accused of ‘poor services’, failure to refund cancelled flight passengers

Lulutai Airlines accused of ‘poor services’, failure to refund cancelled flight passengers

Gov’t agrees in principle to sell Lulutai airlines to Flyniu

Gov’t agrees in principle to sell Lulutai airlines to Flyniu

Calls for review of use of circulars in Parliament and medical leave rules for MPs

By
Kalino Latu
-

The use of a circular by the Speaker of Parliament to canvas votes on whether to extend an MP’s sick leave has sparked calls for reform.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday there is speculation that Tongatapu 10 constituency may face a by-election if its current MP Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, is unseated.

Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Fale Alea ‘O Tonga

The former Prime Minister has been absent from the House on medical leave for nearly three months.

MPs are allowed to be absent from the Legislative Assembly for no more than three consecutive months if they have permission from the Speaker.

After the three months, they can apply for another three consecutive months, but that application must be approved by a majority of the MPs with the advice of the Speaker.

A Parliamentary circular was sent to MPs last week to canvass a majority vote to allow another three-month extension of Tu’i’onetoa’s leave on medical grounds.

If the House declines the extension, there may have to be a by-election to replace Hon. Tu’i’onetoa.

Tongatapu 8 will go to the polls on Thursday in another by-election to elect an MP to replace late MP and Cabinet Minister Semisi Fakahau.

Now there have been calls for the use of circulars to be reviewed and for the approval of MPs’ sick leave entitlements to be reconsidered.

Normal Practice

Newly elected Tongatapu 7 MP Piveni Piukala said he was concerned after he found out last week that there was no law to allow the Speaker to use a parliamentary circular.

Hon. Piukala said he questioned the Chief Clerk about the legality of the circular and was told there was no law to allow it.  Rather, it had previously been used as a means of communication to a point where it was accepted as a normal practice for speakers to distribute such documents.

“There was no reasonable ground”, Hon Piukala said in Tongan.

He said he was concerned about why the Speaker had used the circular to seek MPs’ ballots while the House was still open, and the king has yet to formally close it.

The Tongatapu 7 MP’s comment was made during a live streamed election campaign address last week. Afterwards, critics called on the Speaker to refrain from using it as there was no law to justify it.

They called on the Speaker to review the circulatory system and said that when there were important issues such as the request to extend medical leave, the Speaker should summon a session. “This type of non-transparent communication system is unacceptable”, a PTOA critic said.

Last year the Legislative Assembly’s Deputy Clerk, Dr Sione Vikilani, said the use of circulars was a means of communication used by the House and any information sent through it was legal.

In Tongan he said: “Ko e tohi ‘avetakai ko e founga ngāue pe ‘oku ‘ataa ke ngaue’aki pea ‘oku ‘ikai ke ta’efakalao ha tu’utu’uni ‘i hono fakahoko ‘i he founga koia.”

MP Paula Piveni Piukala

Critics also said the parliamentary medical leave law should be reviewed. They said there should be a clause to allow medical leave based on the doctor’s advice. If the MP’s sickness was incurable, Parliament should refrain from funding the costs of the MPs medical expenses if they are sent to overseas hospitals.

Sickness debate

This is not the first time sickness benefits for MPs have triggered a debate.

In 2019 Parliament met the costs of former MP and Cabinet Minister Viliami Hingano, who was sent to New Zealand for treatment. After six months’ medical leave he died and his body was returned to Tonga. This caused a fierce public debate.

Democrat supporters insisted the cost of the air ambulance was too much to be spent on Lord Fusitu’a alone while the government budget relied heavily on overseas donors to buy medication for the country.

Royal supporters insisted Lord Fusitu’a was entitled to have his full costs paid because it had been done for government officials in the past, including the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

Five more arrests in relation to death of Tauranga man Mitchell Te Kani

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Ethan Griffiths, Open Justice reporter of NZherald.co.nz

Police have arrested another five people in relation to the death of a Tauranga man, bringing the total number of defendants charged with murder to eight.

No caption

(file picture) Photo: 123rf.com

In May last year, police were initially called to a disorder incident involving a group of people at a residential address on Maungatapu Road, but officers arrived to find 51-year-old Mitchell Te Kani dead.

Five men, aged between 24 and 30, were arrested and charged with murder today, and will all appear in either the Tauranga or Hamilton District Courts early this week.

They were also charged with assaulting other people at the scene of Te Kani’s death.

A man and a woman were previously arrested shortly after the alleged killing in May last year. The pair was originally charged with aggravated burglary, which was upgraded to murder about a month later.

A third person was arrested just last week and also charged with murder.

Also today, police arrested two further people who were charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It is understood police investigated upwards of 20 suspects, with a large group of people believed to have been near the property at the time of Te Kani’s death.

Crown prosecutor Sonny Teki-Clark told the court in a previous hearing that the trial should be set down for the Hamilton High Court, with there being too many defendants to fit in the Tauranga courthouse.

While Te Kani had no kids of his own, an uncle of his said he adored his nieces and nephews.

“He was a very active and well-loved member of all of the communities that he associated himself with.”

The murder investigation remains ongoing, police say, with a trial tentatively set for 2024.

* This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.

Covid-19: Child among 57 deaths as case numbers drop further

By
Kalino Latu
-

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala faka-Tonga

A child under the age of 10 has died with Covid-19 and a further 19,215​ new cases have been reported across Aotearoa over the past week.

The numbers cover the week from Monday, January 9 to Sunday, January 15.

As at midnight on Sunday, there were 333 people in hospital with the virus.

Eight people were in an intensive care or high dependency unit.

Fifty-seven more people with the virus have died, including a child under 10. Another was aged between 10 and 19.

Of the 55 other deaths, two were in their 30s, three were in their 40s, seven were in their 50s, six were in their 60s, 14 were in their 70s, 16 were in their 80s and seven were aged over 90.

Thirty were men and 27 were women.

Nineteen were from the Auckland region, seven each were from Waikato and Canterbury, six were from Bay of Plenty, three each were from Northland, Hawke’s Bay, MidCentral District and the Wellington region, two were from Lakes District, and one each were from Taranaki, Whanganui, Nelson Marlborough and Southern.

The number of deaths confirmed as attributable to Covid-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor, is 2437.

Last week’s positive cases, detected through rapid antigen tests (RATs) and PCR tests, are located in Northland (786), Auckland (6037), Waikato (1553), Bay of Plenty (1096), Lakes District (435), Hawke’s Bay (761), MidCentral District (776), Whanganui (269), Taranaki (546), Tairāwhiti (426), Wairarapa (202), Capital and Coast (1221), Hutt Valley (532), Nelson Marlborough (835), Canterbury (2325), West Coast (107), South Canterbury (149) and Southern District (1122).

The location of 37 cases is unknown.

The seven-day rolling average of cases is 2738. The seven-day rolling average of RAT results is 4440.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Mate ha leka ‘i lalo he ta’u 10 tupu mei he Koviti mo ha toe toko 19,215 ko e keisi fo’ou kuo lipooti ‘i Aotealoa ‘i he uike kuo sītu’a’.

Ko e fika ko ‘eni mei he uike kamata ‘i he Monite ‘aho 9 Sanuali ki he ‘aho 15.

‘I he tu’uapō Sapate na’e toko 333 ‘a e kakai ne nau ‘i fale mahaki ma’u ‘e he vailasi’.

Toko valu a e kakai ne ‘i he loki ‘initenisivi kea’ pe ‘iuniti hai’initipenitenisii’.

Na’e toe mate ha kakai foki ‘e toko 57 he vailasi’ kau ai ‘a e pepee’.

‘I he toko 55 kehe ne mate’ ko e toko ua ne ta’u 30, toko tolu ‘i he ta’u 40 tupu, fitu ‘i he ta’u 50 tupu , ono ‘i he ta’u 60 tupu’, 14 ‘i he ta’u 70 tupu’, 16 ‘i honau 80 tupu’ pea fitu ‘ova he 90.

Toko 30 ‘a e kau tangata’ kae toko 27 fefine.

Toko 90 mei he feitu’u ‘Okalani, tautau toko fitu ‘a Waikato mo Canterbury, ono mei BOP, tolu mei Northland, Hawke’s Bay, MidCentral District, feitu’u Uelingatonu, ua mei Lakes District pea taha mei Talanaki, Whanganui, Nelson Marlborough mo e Southern.

Na’e fakapapau’i ko e fika ‘o e ngaahi mate ne tupu ia mei he Koviti 19, ka ‘ikai pe ko ha mate tupu he Koviti pe ne kaunga ‘a e Koviti’ ki he tupu’anga ‘ene mate’.

Ko e ngaahi positive keisi ‘o e uike kuo ‘osi ne ‘ilo ia mei he ngaahi tesi (RATs) mo e  PCR tests, ‘i Northland (786), Auckland (6037), Waikato (1553), Bay of Plenty (1096), Lakes District (435), Hawke’s Bay (761), MidCentral District (776), Whanganui (269), Taranaki (546), Tairāwhiti (426), Wairarapa (202), Capital and Coast (1221), Hutt Valley (532), Nelson Marlborough (835), Canterbury (2325), West Coast (107), South Canterbury (149) mo Southern District (1122).

Na’e ‘ikai ‘ilo ‘a e ngaahi feituu ‘o e keisi ‘e 37 ne ma’u.

Dave Rennie sacked as Wallabies coach, Eddie Jones to take over

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has been sacked with immediate effect and former England boss Eddie Jones is set to lead the side at this year’s World Cup in France.

New Zealander Rennie, former coach of Super Rugby side the Chiefs, was contracted until the end of this year’s World Cup in France but has a winning record of only 38 percent since taking over after the last edition.

Jones, who led the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final in his previous stint as Australia coach, was sacked by England in December.

He will be head coach of the Wallabies, as well as overseeing the Wallaroos, on a long-term deal until 2027.

Jones previously coached the Wallabies from 2001 to 2005, including taking the team to the Rugby World Cup Final in Sydney in 2003.

As the head coach of England, he had the highest winning ratio of any coach to lead that nation at 73 percent.

In addition to his role with the Wallabies, and in a world-first, Jones will also oversee the Wallaroos programme as Rugby Australia pushes forward towards a professional future for the Women’s XVs game.

England head coach Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jones will start with Rugby Australia on 29 January.

Rennie has coached Australia since 2020, and has achieved some notable victories with the Wallabies, including series victories against France and South Africa in 2021.

Rugby Australia (RA) chairman Hamish McLennan said he was thrilled with Jones’s appointment.

“It is a major coup for Australian rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies and to oversee the Wallaroos program,” McLennan said.

“Eddie’s deep understanding of our rugby system and knowledge of our player group and pathways will lift the team to the next level,” he said.

“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing rugby – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise and experience at the biggest competitions, and we did not want to miss it.”

RA chief executive Andy Marinos said he wished Rennie all the best for the future.

“I would like to thank Dave for his hard work and effort with the Wallabies – we are grateful for all that he has done for Australian Rugby,” Marinos said.

“Dave has been instrumental in developing much of the depth that we see in and around the current Wallabies squad; there are a number of players that are genuine World Cup possibilities because of opportunities that Dave has provided,” he said.

“The work ethic, the spirit within the group, and the way the team carries itself are all a direct result of Dave’s input – he has made a real mark on this group of players.”

Jones said he was delighted by the chance to coach his country once again.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to come home to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup,” Jones said.

“It is going to be an immense period for Australian rugby – as a proud Australian, it is a great honour to be able to come home and lead the national team during these years,” he said.

“The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth – if we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup.

“I saw how gutsy the Wallaroos were in the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year – it looks like there is a real spirit in that group that will drive the women’s programme forward ahead of their next World Cup in 2025.

“I am really looking forward to getting back home and getting stuck in.”

–Reuters / RNZ

Could Tongatapu 10 MP Tu‘i‘onetoa’s continued medical absence lead to another by-election?

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongatapu 10 constituency may be facing a possible by-election if its current MP,  Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, is unseated.

Hon. Tu’i’oneota was recently reported to be unwell after his bribery conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeals.

MP Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva Tonga)

The former Prime Minister’s livestreamed speeches appeared to show he was overwhelmed after it was revealed that the majority of his former Cabinet ministers had dumped him and chosen a new Prime Ministerial candidate before the 2021 November general elections.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa was finally ousted in that year’s premiership election and replaced by the current Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku. 

The Parliament’s official record, Hansard number 19 of October 27, 2022 showed that the former Prime Minister remained absent on medical leave.

It is understood Hon Tu’i’onetoa was attempting to fly to the US for his medical appointments.

A Parliamentary circular was sent to MPs this week to canvass a majority vote to allow another three-month extension of Tu’i’onetoa’s leave on medical grounds.

MP Māteni Tapueluelu has confirmed the circular to Kaniva News.

This meant Tu’i’onetoa has already taken up the three-month medical leave to which he is entitled under the Speaker’s authority.

The law allows MPs to be absent from the Legislative Assembly for no more than three consecutive months if they have permission from the Speaker.

After the three months, they can apply for another three consecutive months, but that application must be approved by a majority of the MPs with the advice of the Speaker.

The law says that “the Legislative Assembly may not permit the member to be absent for any period exceeding six consecutive months.”

The Tongatapu 7 MP Piveni Piukala said in a livestreamed by-election campaign address this week that a by-election was possible for Tongatapu 10 after January 24.

His revelation implied the completion of Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s three month medical absence that could be traced back to October 24, 2022.

However, the three months’ absence could trigger a by-election only if the House declines the application to extend Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s medical leave for another three months.

Hansard shows Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s name was recorded as being called out during the Parliament’s roll call on October 24. After that his absence is recorded on October 27 in Tongan as ‘continuing on his medical leave’.   

All Hansards for November show Hon Tu’i’onetoa’s name was not listed in the section for MPs who sent apologies for their absence.

MP Mateni Tapueluelu told Kaniva News he did not see Hon. Tu’i’onetoa attending any Parliamentary sessions in November after Tapueluelu and two other new MPs took an oath after they won the November by-elections.

“The by-elections were held on November 3 and we waited for two weeks before we entered the House. When we were in the House he was not there,” Tapueluelu said of Hon. Tu’i’onetoa.

Those by-elections came after a by-election was held to replace the late Ha’apai MP Viliami Hingano. Tongatapu 8 will go to the polls next week in another by-election to elect an MP to replace late MP and Cabinet Minister Semisi Fakahau.

Kaniva News has contacted the Speaker for comment.

Police arrest man, seize $10,000 cash, firearm, drugs in Tongatapu

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Ammunition, cash and drugs were seized in a police bust in Tongatapu’s Hahake district on Tuesday 10.

Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said officers found 124.77grams of methamphetamine, 68.92 grams of cannabis and TOP$10,310 cash.

Cash, loaded gun and drugs seized in police bust. Photo/Supplied

Police arrested a 33-year-old man from Tatakamotonga for possession and supply of illicit drugs.

It came after the police intercepted the suspect on a public road between Holonga and Pelehake where they found in his vehicle methamphetamine, cannabis, cash and a loaded firearm.

A further search was carried out at the suspect’s residence at Tatakamotonga where more drugs, cash and drug utensils were found.

The accused is being remanded in custody to appear in court on Monday, 23 January 2023.

Mr McLennan acknowledges members of his team and the public for their collaborative efforts to bring forward those involved in illicit drug supply.

“Tonga Police will continue to bring before the courts those who are involved in distributing and selling of illicit drugs, which is affecting our people and communities.”

Anyone with information on drug-related activities can contact Police on 740-1630,740-1632 or 922.

One person dies after rural South Auckland crash

By
Kaniva Staff
-

One person has died after a single-vehicle crash in rural South Auckland this morning.

Police said the crash on Hunua Rd was reported about 10.40am.

Photo / Kalino Lātū

The driver died at the scene.

The serious crash unit will examine the scene and an investigation will be carried out into the circumstances of the crash.

NZ company begins trial for combined flu , Covid 19 vaccine

By
Kaniva Staff
-

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

Scientists in New Zealand are running a trial of a combined vaccine for both flu and Covid-19.

The Wellington P3 Research experts believes the combined vaccine will reduce the workload for healthcare services.

The company was looking for people aged between 50 and 80 years old to take part in the clinical trial, which is investigating whether the single vaccine can effectively prevent both illnesses.

The company conducted research on behalf of a range of pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca – two major Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers.

Covid-19 and influenza were among the more common viruses leading to severe illness and hospitalisation in older adults, P3 Research said, and currently individual vaccinations provided the best protection against each disease.

As well as the age requirement, it was looking for participants who were in good health, and were fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (with or without the booster).

They must not have had a Covid-19 infection in the last two months.

The study would require willing participants to receive a vaccination and then attend follow-up appointments for six months.

The new research in New Zealand came after scientists in the US were working on a shot that could protect against Covid-19, its variants, certain seasonal colds — and the next coronavirus pandemic.

The US researchers were starting to develop prototypes of a so-called pancoronavirus vaccine, with some promising, if early, results from experiments on animals. Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, thinks scientists should join together in another large-scale vaccine-creation project immediately.

“We have to get a real work force to accelerate this, so we can have it this year,” he said. Dr. Topol and Dennis Burton, a Scripps immunologist, called for this project on broad coronavirus vaccines on Monday in the journal Nature.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Kamata ‘a hono tesi’i ‘i Nu’u Sila ha faito’o huhu malu’i e lava ke fakataha’i pe ai ‘a e faito’o ki he Koviti’ mo e Fuluu’.

Ko e ngāue’ ni ‘oku fakahoko ‘e he kau mataotao mei he kautaha Wellinton P3 Research ‘a ia ‘oku nau tui ‘e ma’ama’a ange heni ‘a e ngāue’.

‘Oku fai ‘a e fakatotolo’ ni fakafofonga’i ai ‘a e ngaahi kautaha ‘oku nau tu’uaki ‘a e faito’o hangē ko e Pfizer mo e AstraZeneca – ‘a ia ko e ongo kautaha lalahi ia ‘oku na fa’u ‘a e huhu malu’i Koviti’.  

Ko e kakai ko ‘eni ‘oku tesi’i ai ‘a e faito’o ko eni ko e kakai pe ‘oku nau mo’ui lelei, ‘osi huhu malu’i kakato mei he Koviti ‘o tatau pe pe kuo nau ‘osi hoani pe ‘ikai.

Ko e hu mai ‘eni ‘a e huhu malu’i’ ni hili ia ha ngaue ‘a e kau saienisi ‘Amelika’ ki ha huhu malu’i te ne lava malu’i ‘a e Koviti, hono ngaahi fōtunga kehe, ngaahi mahaki pau ‘o e fa’ahita’u Momoko  pea mo e vailasi kolona.

Na’e fa’u au ‘e he kau fakatotolo ‘Amelika ha polototaipe ‘a ia ko e vekisini ne sai ‘aupito ia ‘a ia ko e ola ia ‘o ha ‘ahi’ahi ‘i he monumanu’.

Driver sentenced over death of Tongan graduate who awaits graduation ceremony

By
Kaniva Staff
-

UPDATED: A drink driver who caused the death of a university graduate after their two cars racing at high speed along a main road has been sent to jail for six years.

Netane Nimo, 26, died at Vaiola hospital on June 19, 2022 at around 12.30am.

Netane Nimo

The prisoner, Titali To’ia, also known as Tevita To’ia, last month admitted to causing death by careless driving.

He pleaded guilty and apologised to the victim’s girlfriend.

The Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa heard Tō’ia admitting “that the time he has spent in custody has taught him a lot and he truly feels remorseful for what he had done”.

Nimo was the oldest of five children.

“The family invested in him by sending him to Fiji to get an education. He returned home to await his graduation on 18 November, 2022. Sadly, his family never saw him graduate, instead they stood in to represent and receive his degree”, the judgement read.

The court heard that late on Saturday evening 18 June, 2022 To’ia was driving east in a car on Taufa’ahau Road towards Veitongo.

At the same time, Nimo was also travelling in a car on Taufa’ahau Road to return to his home in Vaini after having seen his girlfriend at Fangaloto.

“Both men had consumed alcohol. They met on the main road, Taufa’ahau Road, at Ha’ateiho where they began racing at a speed of 100 km/hr or more”.  

At one stage while they were racing, the deceased was about to overtake To’ia’s car but To’ia veered his car towards the right side of the road, hitting the left rear of the victim’s car causing both to lose control of their respective vehicles.

“As a result of the impact, the victim’s car skidded and spun sideways hitting an electricity pole on the right side of the road breaking it in half landing back on the road facing in the opposite direction towards Nuku’alofa”, the court document read.

The victim was rushed to the hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Justice Tupou convicted To’ia for dangerous driving causing death and had sentenced him last month to a six-year imprisonment term.

“To give effect to the totality principle, I add 4 years and 6 months of this sentence to the head sentence in CR 80 of 2022 resulting in an aggregate sentence of 8 years imprisonment”, Mrs Tupou said.

“I am importing the period of suspension in CR 80 of 2022 here and suspend the final 12 months of the aggregate sentence for two years on the following conditions , namely, that during the said period of suspension, the Defendant is to:

(a) not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment;

(b) be placed on probation;

(c) report to the probation office within 48 hours of his release from prison and thereafter as directed by his probation officer;

(d) reside where directed by his probation officer;

(e) complete courses in alcohol and drugs awareness and life skills as directed by his probation officer.

Failure to comply with any of those conditions will result in the suspension being rescinded , in which case, the Defendant may be required to serve the balance of his sentence in prison”.

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