POLICE at Malu’u in Malaita Province have arrested and charged three suspects for alleged assault causing bodily harm and other offences at Gwaunatolo Community High School in North East Malaita on 17 November 2018.

The three suspects allegedly stole a 65-watts solar panel, a dry battery cell, an inverter, and five tins of paint. The suspects also allegedly damaged school property including six chairs, a wooden drum, six desks and some bricks.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “The total value of properties damaged and stolen is about $10,000.00.”

PPC Apaesi adds: “The three suspects also allegedly assaulted a school teacher causing bodily harm. The teacher and his family escaped from the school to his home village in the Langa Langa Lagoon after the incident.”

“As result of the incident the school board decided to close the school until next year 2019,” says PPC Apaesi.

Mr Apaesi explains: “The three suspects have been bailed to appear in Court in March 2019 when the court circuit at Malu’u resumes.”

–RSIPF MEDIA

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

MPA for Dunde Nusa Roviana ward 16, Honorable Ramrakha Aquila Junior Talasasa has raised concerns over the state of roads in the Western Province.

He said the road conditions in Gizo, Noro and Munda are run down and no one is doing anything about it to maintain them.

Talasasa said the road problem in Gizo, Noro and Munda is not new. Successive governments have failed to address it, he said.

“Public are now wondering when we would be able to walk or drive on roads such as the Munda and Noro road built by the New Zealand government, who also built the airport.”

“Nusa Tupe airport also received a face lift, but not Gizo town,” he added.

Talasasa said they must not delay any further but do something about it as soon as possible.

In response to Talasasa, Premier David Gina said that Western Provincial Government is taking the initiative to upgrade certain roads in Gizo. Work has commenced already.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A new Immigration Officer for Choiseul Province, Bezily Kasutaba has arrived in Taro this month. Kasutaba is stationed with the police to do border work with Bougainville immigration line of activities.

Hon Nerio Ulemiki, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Varisi Lavata Ward 12 said Mr Kasutaba will make a courtesy visit to the Premier of Choiseul Province to officially brief him his line program of activities on the border regarding relevant immigration issues when and whenever applicable.

“Kasutaba said two of the main actions to be carried out are to monitor the movement of people to and fro across the border to make sure they follow the immigration laws of both countries concerned and to monitor illegal trades’ activities to follow legal trades’ laws.

“Actions’ includes on other related issues covered under the border agreement and to work alongside the police to arrest and prosecute those violating the immigration laws,” said Hon Ulemiki.

It is said that following Kasutaba’s arrival at Taro Station, three Chinese foreign nationals were arrested for illegal buying of beche-de-mers without work permits on the border.

The border line of activities is to start on the 1st of December.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of an accused Dilo Faiga alleged for involving in an armed robbery incident on July 2014 will appear again in court today.

The accused Dilo Faiga from Manakwai village in Malaita province is alleged to be involved in an armed robbery incident on July 25 2014 with other co-accused.

Police alleged that Dilo Faiga and other co-accused were involved in the armed robbery incident where they uprooted the ATM machine at the Kwaimani building using crow bars and then lifted it into the waiting car and drove off to Henderson.

The allegation said more than $400,000 was in that machine but they allegedly took only more than $200,000 from the top tray as they can’t open the bottom tray.

According to the police they said that the men arrived at the building and threatened the security guards by gun pointing them and uprooted the machine.

After successfully uprooting the machine they dragged it to the waiting car and drove off to Henderson where they allegedly opened and stole the money on the top tray.

Police also alleged that the security guard who followed them on that night also received $30,000 and that money was not yet recovered.

Bradley Dalipanda of the office Director Public Prosecution appears for the state while Lazarus Waroka of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused in court.