Alleged scammers appear in Samoa court
Two men alleged to have conned people into signing on to a non-existent RSE seasonal workers scheme have appeared in the Supreme Court in Apia.
The Samoa Observer reports that Joseph Lafaele of Togafu'afu'a and Falelatai villages and Viliamu Leavasa Fa'aleleiga are facing more than 10 charges of obtaining money by deception last month.
The pair were arrested two weeks ago following a string of complaints to the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour which currently manages the Government's seasonal workers programme.
They are accused of defrauding more than 20 individuals by posing as agents for the seasonal workers scheme.
The paper reports some of the victims turned up at the Faleolo International Airport after they were told by the defendants that a flight scheduled last month would take them to work abroad.
Government prosecutor for the Attorney Generals office, Fuifui Ioane, asked for a two week adjournment to finalise charges.
Justice Fepulea'i Ameperosa Roma granted the adjournment and ordered the defendants to remain in custody.
Tonga's next repatriation from New Zealand scheduled for next week
Tonga's next repatriation flight is scheduled to depart from Christchurch, New Zealand and arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport next Wednesday.
About 300 passengers are expected to be on the direct flight from Christchurch to Tonga.
Most passengbers are RSE seasonal workers from the South Island and some of Tonga's Olympians are also expected to be on board.
Repatriation flights departing from Auckland have been deferred until further notice because of Covid-19 community transmission in the region.
The last repatriation flight from New Zealand to Tonga was in July
Former Australian international latest player to sign with Moana Pasifika
Former Australian international, Sekope Kepu, is the latest player to sign with Moana Pasifika for their debut season in Super Rugby Pacific next year.
Former Wallaby international Sekope Kepu at the 2015 World Cup. Photo: Photosport
The 35 year-old has capped 110 tests and played 295 professional matches since making his debut in 2006. The Australian-born Tongan is currently playing for Counties Manukau in the NPC.
He joins Samoan trio Neria Fomai, Tomasi Alosio and Henry Taefu, Tongan loose forwards Sione Tu'ipulotu and Solomone Funaki, Wallabies first five Christian Lealiifano and former Crusaders halfback Ereatara Enari.
More players are set to be revealed this week.
Anti-domestic violence workshop organised in Vanuatu
Vanuatu Women Centre acknowledges the role of the Port Vila Town Town Council of Chiefs to help combat domestic violence in Port Vila and it has organised a workshop with them this week in Port Vila.
Vanuatu Women Centre coordinator, Tatavola Matas, said her organization deals with survivors of domestic violence and violence against women which is a growing problem in Vanuatu.
Tatavola Matas said chiefs are very respected people in the communities and Vanuatu Women Centre recognises the opportunity to work in collaboration with the chiefs to address domestic violence in the community.
Matas said the workshop is an opportunity where women and chiefs can share information and come up with some ways forward to address violence against women in Port Vila town.
She said chiefs have bigger networks around Vanuatu for this information to be shared and earlier research by the Vanuatu Woman Centre and Vanuatu National Statistic Office has shown most survivors of violence go to the chiefs first for help.
New Environment Minister for Samoa takes oath
The member of Parliament for A'ana Alofi No. 4, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, will be sworn in this morning as the Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in Samoa.
Toeolesulusulu was initially sworn in as a Minister at the swearing in of Samoa's FAST government on May 24th but he resigned a few days later after police charged him with driving under the influence.
He was discharged without conviction last week but was ordered to pay court costs of $2,000 tālā.
The new Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Leatisā Uitime Tala, will also take his oath of office at the same ceremony this morning.
TV1Samoa reports that this was a direct appointment by Cabinet without going through the normal process required for all public service appointments.
Leatisā has been acting Clerk since the sacking of Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei.
