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CCTV footage reveals attack on business couple

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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CRIME SCENE..Police at the back of LGZ building near Town Ground where dead bodies of the two Asians were discovered April 15 2017

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CRIME SCENE..Police at the back of LGZ building near Town Ground where dead bodies of the two Asians were discovered April 15 2017

THE footage of the gruesome killing of a couple at the LGZ store in April last year was shown on Wednesday at the High Court.

The footage was part of the prosecution evidence shown in court on the murder trial against the two suspects, Raymond Keota and Jimson Goufi.

It was played in court when the IT officer was called to give evidence in regards to the CCTV.

The footage played clearly shows how the attack took place on the evening of April 15 last year which led to the death of the couple.

The court room was fully packed when the footage was shown and due to violent attacks the presiding judge Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer announced that anybody not well about seeing those attacks can leave, but the public did not mind and stayed on to watch the footage yesterday.

The defence lawyer George Gray who represents one of the accused told the court that they agreed for the footage to be shown to clarify confusions on the public about the killing.

The prosecution played selected channels of the CCTV and it was played for almost half an hour – it was a very violent attack.

The footage was only stopped when the Chief Justice made an order to stop the CCTV footage as it revealed violent and gruesome attacks on the deceased couple.

The case then adjourned to today for continuation of trial and hearing of evidence from the IT officer.

This is the case against Raymond Keota and Jimson Goufi who are facing two counts of murder each in relation to April 15 killing of an Asian couple in their business premises last year.

Police alleged that the incident was a pre-planned incident in which one of the accused on the matter was a security guard of the two deceased.

The allegation said that the accused, Keota, turned up on that evening at the LGZ shop as was planned with Goufi the security guard.

Police alleged that Goufi shut up all windows before he walked to the main door facing the road and from inside wind down the door.

Police alleged that Keota landed the knife twice on the victim before Goufi intervened and got hold of the same bush knife and repeatedly struck it on the victim, which subsequently landed him on the floor laying in a prone and helpless condition

It was also alleged that Yuegui (wife), who was busy with her cooking heard something unusual at the shop and rushed to check.

When Keota saw her, he allegedly went straight at her at the Kaibar and attacked her with a kitchen knife.

It was the following morning when Goufi and the other female workers of the shop went to work that they discovered the couple dead.

Police alleged it was Goufi who climbed the fence and went into the building and upon his return informed the female workers the couples were lying dead inside the shop.

Director of the Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasa with his two colleagues Margret Suifaasia and John Zoze appears for the crown while George Gray and Michael Holara from the Public Solicitor’s Office represent the two accused.

2 men charged over wounding incident

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE in Guadalcanal province have arrested and charged two men aged 18 and 29   following a wounding incident at an area close to Bea Village on North East Guadalcanal on August 13, 2018.

It is alleged the victim was attacked by a group of people with a knife resulting in the man sustaining injuries to the left side of his face and under his left arm.

Prior to the attack on the victim, he allegedly attacked a young boy. The young boy later ran to Bea Village and informed some of his relatives after which they located the victim and allegedly attacked him.

It is understood, the incident may have arisen from an alleged land dispute between the young boy’s party and the victim.

Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal Province, Superintendent Nixson Manetoga says, “Two suspects were arrested yesterday (August 14) in connection with the incident and the 18-year-old has been charged with alleged attempted murder and the 29-year-old charged for a party to the offence. They are expected to be taken to Court tomorrow (August 16) for a remand application.

“I appeal to both parties to refrain from any further violence and to assist my officers with the investigation into the alleged attack of the young boy and the victim.

“Violence will never solve any issue, instead create more problems. My officers at Tetere are there to assist with mediation for an amicable outcome of such issues.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Man fined $400 for drunk disorderly in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A man has been fined $400 by the Honiara Central Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being found guilty of drunk and disorderly in a public place.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Honiara Central Police Station, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga says, “The defendant was charged for idle and disorderly contrary to Section 175 sub section (d) and an additional charge of drunk and incapable contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code.

“The defendant was drunk and disturbed people using the main road at Tuvaruhu in Central Honiara. He used stones to shoot bystanders along the road.

“The defendant at that time was drunk as he even could not walk or take care of himself.”

The Court ordered the man to pay his $400 fine by today or 20 days imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

–POLICE MEDIA

Arrest over rape of 4-yr-old girl in West

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE officers in Gizo, Western province have arrested and charged a 15-year-old juvenile in relation to an alleged rape incident at Nusa Baruku Island on August 13, 2018.

“The victim is a 4-year-old girl and the incident occurred at Nusa Baruku, an island opposite Gizo Town on July 13, 2018 (Monday) at around 3pm,” says Supervising Provincial Police Commander, Western Province, Superintendent Cedar Nevol.

“The incident happened just close to the victim’s home, and after that the suspect took her home and it was then that the child’s parent saw that she was bleeding and they took her to Gizo Hospital for treatment.

“The matter was reported to Police in Gizo on the same evening and the following day (August 14) the accused was arrested and charged for a count of rape and has been remanded at the Gizo Correctional Centre since.

“The victim is now admitted at the Hospital and I wish her a speedy recovery.

“An investigation into this matter is currently underway. I call on witnesses to the alleged incident to come forward with information that may help Police.

“And I want to call on the victim’s relatives not to take the law into their own hands but allow police to investigate this matter.

“I also strongly appeal to parents and guardians to look after your children. Such incidences will unfortunately affect the victim for the rest of their life.

“We want a future that is bright for them and a healthy and peaceful environment for them to live in. Let us start now to work together in looking after our women and girls,” says PPC Nevol.

–POLICE MEDIA

Gov’t grant to Malaita ‘insufficient’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ACCORDING to the Deputy Provincial Secretary of Malaita Assembly, the Provincial Government Act is in dire need of a review in order to cater for the provinces to become more autonomous.

Robert Wales Feratelia expressed this whilst speaking on the theme “The Challenges of Delivering Better Services within Malaita Province” to mark Malaita Province’s 35th anniversary and Second Appointed Day at the national museum auditorium yesterday.

Feratelia acknowledged the contribution of past and present leaders of the most populated and ethnically diverse province.

He said that these leaders have contributed much to the Malaita province’s political development birthed from the Marching Rule in 1945, then followed by the establishment of the Malaita Council in 1953 which saw the appointment of Salana Ga’a as its first president before the first election of a full Malaita Council took place in 1964.

Feratelia stressed that today their provincial government is operated and administered under the Provincial Government Act.

“This piece of legislation is in dire need of a review in order to cater for the provinces to become more autonomous,” he said.

Feratelia also voiced that the annual government subvention to the province is insufficient and greatly affects the delivery of basic services to rural areas in Malaita province.

“The distribution per capita against the province’s population status is inadequate. This is a major issue that must be scrutinised by the incoming national government in 2019,” he said.

Cheating people

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Chicken products being repacked into smaller quantities in a Honiara shop. Photo supplied.

How healthy are the food we buy and are we being tricked into buying less food for more cash?

By Gary Hatigeva

Chicken products being repacked into smaller quantities in a Honiara shop. Photo supplied.

CONSUMERS are furious over shocking images which reveal that some shops in Honiara are practising what is believed to be trickery tactics to tamper with food quantity they sell to customers.

Early this week, a consumer posted on Facebook, revealing what many consumers have suspected foreign shops, particularly Chinese owned, are practising some cheeky tactics and are cheating consumers over the quantity of food products they sell.

According to the posted images, a local shop worker (pictured) was seen repacking chicken packages, where all the packed products are assembled in large trays and then repacked using scales, which many believed have also been tampered with.

Following the revelation, some other consumers also took to social media similar experiences they encountered with other shops on certain products, but shared that packets of chicken are the most commonly re-packed product.

Island Sun also took time to investigate the repacked food items and noticed that lesser products are in the packaging but more frozen water, which many believed is designed to make products seem bigger and heavier from the outside than they really are.

Also following the revealed images, many consumers feel deceived by such tricks, yet for many shop owners, such are their everyday method of choice to pretend they have more content inside than they actually do.

Consumers also shared and suggested that with an easy access to the global food market, which are seemingly having positive impacts on the local prices, this has taken consumers to a whole new level in terms of easy purchasing, but feared that the repackaging and unhygienic practices might be a step too far.

Authority officials were also shocked by the revelation, saying they do not understand why it is not possible for shops to maintain their packaging from the original supplies, because according to calculations based on the market prices, they will still make profits even if they have to sell cheaper.

The authority on the other hand, slammed the shop owner for what they described as “possible misleading” shoppers who buy everything from snacks to rice especially packages that are easy to open and resealed.

It is also found that while some packed food need air in the packaging to keep them from spoiling, there were a lot of other products where the shops “cheated” the customers by playing with the packaging, especially, with regards to quantity.

Unfortunately, there is no concrete specification, such as pre-packaging regulation to monitor or legal set out how much of quantity in packs is actually permissible because numerous exceptions leave plenty of room for tricks.

The Honiara City Council’s responsible body has been notified of the particular shop and there is hope they will follow up on the complaints and deal with the shop, but consumers are urging for a thorough investigation into all other shops whom they claimed, have done the same, but just never been caught.

“Unfortunately, some of us never had the guts to capture what we believed were wrong, but thanks to this brave consumer for setting the precedence, which we should all learn from and be vigilantes for our authorities and our people,” a concerned but relieved consumer expressed when interviewed on this.

Could these shocking images reveal how shops are ‘cheating’ shoppers by reducing food quantities? If not, could this then be, some of the contributing factors to the many unknown disease swamping the country’s urban population, and where are the healthy standards regulations?

In thanking the consumer for revealing the matter, which is now being investigated, authority officials are also asking members of the Honiara consumer public to help crackdown on such kinds of unwanted and illegal practices by being the ears and eyes for the authorities.

They also agreed that such are questionable practices being reported every now and then, but with the use of technology, shops found or caught will for sure be thoroughly dealt with according to our laws.

Ramo and Kabui confident

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Henly Ramo (center) says Solomon Islands can book a spot for next year’s U-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland. Photo OFC

Solo a step away from maiden FIFA 11-a-side competition debut

By Taromane Martin

Henly Ramo (center) says Solomon Islands can book a spot for next year’s U-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland. Photo OFC

MID fielders Henly Ramo and Frank Kabui are confident Solomon Islands can book a spot for next year’s U-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland today when they meet Tahiti in the second semi-final of the 2018 OFC U-20 Championship.

The north Malaita duo was the midfield heart of the Malaita Eagles U-19 provincial soccer team that won the Youth Solomon Cup early this year at Lawson Tama.

They said playing at the OFC level is totally a different experience compared to the village and national level they have been playing at.

“This level here is totally different compared to other levels I played at back at home,” Kabui told SIFF media officer Simon Abana yesterday.

“All the teams competing here are tough. The level is different. I’m happy and it makes me want go on further because this is the level I have always dreamed about and always wanted to reach.

“After three wins and still yet to lose points I’m fully confident we can win the semi. I’m not underestimating Tahiti but I hope and believe we have a chance to win.

“I look forward to playing against Tahiti in the semis. All the boys are confident and hope to get the result tomorrow,” the 19 year old said.

Meanwhile Henly Ramo who will join Kabui at Malaita Kingz FC for the new TSL season also expressed the same sentiments for today’s semi-final match saying it will be treated like just another game.

“Coming from and starting from village level and to come and play at this OFC Championship is different experience itself.

“The Youth Solomon Cup and TSL compared to this tournament is a big difference. The level here is much competitive.

“I believe Solomon Islands will create history at this tournament and qualify for the U-20 FIFA World Cup next year.

“This match for me will be treated just like the other past three matches. I’m confident, the same goes for all the boys, and we are really looking forward to taking on Tahiti,” the blonde midfield maestro, Ramo said.

Solomon Islands will meet Tahiti in the second semi-final of the OFC U-20 Championship 2:30pm (Solomon time) today at the Stade Pater in Pirae Tahiti.

“The lads are ready”: Coach Suri

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The National under 23 head coach Batram Suri

OFC U-19 Championship semi-finals today

By Taromane Martin

The National under 19 head coach Batram Suri

HEAD Coach for the country’s national U-19 soccer team Batram Suri says they are confident and looking forward for their semi-final clash with Tahiti today.

Solomon Islands who finished top in Group B will meet host nations Tahiti 2:30pm today at the Stade Pater, Pirae.

Coach Suri said the boys while the atmosphere in their camp is great he knows his side will need to keep their concentration if they are to book a grand final spot against the host nations’ today.

“We need to keep our concentration for the game because obviously Tahiti will have the home support from the crowd who will be cheering them,” he said.

“We have to concentrate on what we are doing, our strategy and plan in how we are going to defend and counter attack them.

“We are all ready for the game; the atmosphere in the camp is great. All of the boys want to play in the semis.

“We are confident and looking forward to challenging Tahiti in the semi-final. All the boys are ready,” he said.

Meanwhile his counterpart, Tahiti coach Bruno Tehaamoana is well aware of the threat the Solomon Islands pose to his side and their ambitions of securing a FIFA U-20 World Cup spot.

“It’ll be 50-50 against the Solomons.

“It’s an incredibly good team, very technical, very quick. We’re trying to put in place a tactical plan to try and thwart them,” he said told OFC media.

The winner of this match will book a spot for Saturday’s grand final match with the winner of the other semi-final match between New Zealand and New Caledonia.

According to FIFA and OFC the winners from both semi-final matches or the grand finalists for this year’s OFC U-19 Championship will qualify and book a spot for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.

Malaita province marks 35th anniversary

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

MALAITA province has successfully marked its 35th anniversary in Saraiselu, in the Afio substation, Small Malaita.

Speaking during the celebration on Monday this week, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela greeted and congratulated Malaita province on behalf of the nation and its leaders (both national and provincial).

He acknowledged Malaita’s 35 years of achievements, and the many more to come ahead.

PM Hou also thanked church leaders, chiefs and other stakeholders for their contributions towards malaita province during the past 35 years.

Prime minister Rick Houenipwela deliver his speech

The theme for this year’s celebration “Challenges for Achieving Better Services Delivery in Malaita Province” is the role of the government.

Serving and taking up the leadership role is not easy.

Hou said, “We should focus on the number of policy of our province.

“Malaita province has contributed to 23 percent of the country’s population where 1,200 children born in one year.

“80 percent of the population is under the age of 40 and they are rated as youths.

“Problems and issues will be faced in our province if we do not meet and address youth issues.

“Malaita province should work hard to address the issues of its growing population.

“The national government will continue to work hard with the malaita provincial government through education, health and other important sectors or ministry.”

Hou also thanked the Malaita provincial government for their commitment towards implementation of its projects in Malaita.

“$6.5 Million dollar is currently on going with the ministry of education, Health, fisheries and agriculture.

“I thank the premier of Malaita province Hon Peter Ramohia for your working together with the national government by continuing your partnership through services and working areas.

“Most national projects in Malaita province have been turn down due to land disputes.

“Land owners are the issue to development in malaita especially, Houenipwela said.

“Fiu hydro has been turn down and the current solar farm to expand power supply in Auki is currently experiencing the similar situation.”

Premier of Malaita province Hon. Peter Ramohia salutes the Malaita anthem

He added the Paresi airport and the Manaoba airport are now reopened and promise to boost the province’s economy, and the nation’s to an extent.

“We must attract the government, investors and donors for development purposes.

“All of us have the role to play in any development in the province.”

Horizon band during the entertainment
Hon. Minister for Infrastructure Hon. Stanley Sofu recieve his gift from the Deputy Premier of malaita province, Hon. Alick Maeaba
Parasi women’s cultural group entertaining the crowd during the malaita second appointed day celebration
Prime minister Rick Houenipwela inpects the guard honour
Prime minister Rick Houenipwela salutes the national anthem during the malaita second appointed day in Afio on Monday
The Royal Solomon Islands Police band in Afio during the Malaita second appointed day celebration
The RSIPF police band entertains the crowd

UOG eyes SI campus

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Hugo Koppel, Director UOG Open Campus, Hagen.

Talks about opportunities and second chances in education

By Gary Hatigeva

Hugo Koppel, Director UOG Open Campus, Hagen.

A Senior Official from the University of Goroka (UOG) is in Honiara to look into the proposal for the Institute to establish its campus in the country.

This was confirmed during a one day awareness talk, which the University’s Solomon Islands based staff organised over the weekend.

Representing the institute, Director of UOG’s Open Campus in Hagen, Hugo Koppel is here on that special assignment, which according to local officials, is to look at sites while at the same time, look into the process for the acquisition of land for their Solomon Islands campus.

The UOG Open Campus Director who was accompanied by the University’s Solomon based staff, took time to visit potential sites for the proposed establishment, in West Guadalcanal last week.

Koppel was also the guest speaker of the awareness programme, who he talked about their plans to upgrade UOG’s courses that held here and highlighted opportunities the institute has for the people of Solomon Islands and the benefits of being certified under them.

Currently, the University is here in Solomon Islands as part a government to government MOA and bilateral arrangements between the two Melanesian nations, however, the institute is looking beyond these arrangements.

He told a packed gathering, which consisted of former UOG students and interested ones, both in service and high school leavers that it is from the current status of MOAs and arrangements, that the UOG is providing small scale programmes that those who come under, do them in-country.

He added that taking courses on offer in-country is highly encouraged, assuring that their schedules run in parallel with the PNG main campus schedules and therefore assured that students in Honiara are not left behind.

He further added that other opportunities include upgrading programmes, and after completing with requirements and criteria fully met, students are taken as fulltime students of UOG, but that according to officials, will involve additional costs.

He said Solomon Islands needs a well educated population and with the proposed establishment of a Solomon Islands branch/campus, Goroka is here to provide that.

He highlighted that Goroka has played a significant role in the development of Solomon Islands, having a lot of the current leaders in both the private and public sectors, being former students of UOG and Koppel said the institute is proud to see this.

“They are products of the University of Goroka”.

Koppel then pointed out that on an even more exciting and upper side of UOG establishing here in Solomon Islands is that, it will give access the local population to access quality tertiary education.

“At the same time, we must note that by Earning a PNG diploma or degree adds value to your chances to even work in PNG,” Koppel explained.

He then announced that the Institute will also be looking to make arrangements for degree and masters courses to be taught or held here in SI and that will include sending in of staff from the main campus to teach the courses for the students.

Since the inception of the arrangement under the MOA between the two countries, UOG has held three successful graduation ceremonies for its students, and now anticipating it 4th and the many more to come once there is actual establishment or still be providing the programmes under the arrangements.

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