Transcript
MELVIN LEVONGO: For example they went and looted Radio Southern Highlands. Radio Southern Highlands provides people with much needed information
DON WISEMAN: Is Radio Southern Highlands, is it still able to broadcast?
ML: No, no after the raid Radio Southern Highlands couldn't broadcast anymore.
DW: Mendi Airport is also closed because of the damage caused there.
ML: Yes Mendi Airport is also closed - tens of thousands of kina worth of equipment, computers, printers, office equipment, has been stolen so the airport is also closed. The shops there, the business houses are closed, the banks too.
DW: There are no shops open in Mendi?
ML: There are no shops [open] and there is no presence of any people. The transport, the public transport, like the buses, are not operating anymore.
DW: There have been a number of buildings burned down and one of these belonged, or was part owned by the prime minister, Peter O'Neill.
ML: Yes Yes the company was called Wild Cat Developments. So they burned down the company headquarters.
DW: The eventual successful candidate in the regional seat, William Powi, is a member of prime minister Peter O'Neill's party. Is this the reason they targetted Mr O'Neill's business?
ML: That's what I heard but I cannot confirm it. There is the fact that the prime minister, he could have done more. [Mr O'Neill] could have down more to ease the situation. Could have done more to help the situation but he didn't do that and it has been a couple of months now and as a result of that I believe they did target Mr O'Neill's property or Mr O'Neill's business.
DW: What sort of police presence is there on the streets of Mendi?
ML: Totally nothing. No police are present. A lot of police are scared and the police station is closed, the gates are closed on the police station, so there might a declaration of a state of emergency - that's another option for the government.
