BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

GUADALCANAL’S former deputy premier and member for Sahalu ward 2, Mr Michael Papari salutes Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly’s Speaker for rejecting a proposed motion made against Premier Anthony Veke by Member for Talise ward, Mr Gladall Sesehala.

Speaking to the paper yesterday, he said that the motion as stated in Solomon Star’s front page on Wednesday this week under the title “Speaker Rejects Motion” is baseless and lacks reasoning.

Mr Papari stressed that the motion is not timely as there is only 6 months before the provincial assembly dissolves and if something like this occurs it will disturb the current budget of the province thus, affect the people of Guadalcanal province.

“There is only 6 months remaining before the house dissolves so I salute the Speaker, Hon Abel Arambola for making the decision to not accept the motion,” he said.

Papari then stated that should there be any differences between the current backbenchers and the current Premier, then they should confront him and discuss with him the issue they are not happy with and set things right.

“To involve in political moves to disturb this government is not right and a childish decision,” he said.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against three individuals alleged to have involved in fraud activities has been set for trial in September this year.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi said that since the trial date has been set for September all interim mentions will be excused until August 30.

Ms Taeburi said all accused are required to appear on August 30 for the last mention before the trial on September 3.

This is the case three accused men Gordon Mark, Nelson Maeta and John Nelson Ross.

They were charged in relation to an incident which occurred in 2011 in Honiara.

The allegation said between November 1 and 30, 2011 the two accused and other men obtained more than $300,000 by selling the victim fake gold bars.

Police alleged the men approached the victim, Hypolite Taremae, who is the former Minister of Truth Reconciliation and Peace, at his office at Anthony Saru Building.

Police said that the men went to see the alleged victim with the intention to obtained money through false pretence and also lure him into believing their made up stories.

The men and others allegedly told Mr Taremae that they were from Weather-coast in Guadalcanal. And in the coming days a reconciliation ceremony will take place in their village but they did not have enough money.

It was at that time they showed a picture of a gold bar to Mr Taremae which they claimed to be in their possession, Police said.

They allegedly said they have some gold bars which were stolen by the former Guadalcanal war-lord Harold Keke that was taken from the former Ross Mining during the height of the ethnic tension.

The men also allegedly showed Mr Taremae a certification letter from the Director of Mines that confirmed that the gold bars were gold and worth six million dollars.

Having heard from the accused and seen all the documents, Mr Taremae was convinced.

Then on various occasions between July and November 2011, the accused men allegedly handed Mr Taremae three gold bars in return they received $300,000.

The victim however, later found that the men lied to him and he took the “gold bars” to a dealer who confirmed they were fakes.

The bars were made from lead metal and painted with gold colour paint.

It was also alleged that the men threatened the case officer who was investigating their case that they will shoot him with a gun.

The allegation further said that the men claimed that they still have guns and will hunt for the case officer everywhere and will kill him.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against a man charged for arson has adjourned to April 5 to allow the defence lawyer to send a proposal to the prosecution.

Public Prosecutor John Zoze told the court that on the last occasion defence lawyer Daniel Kwalai mentioned that they are going to send a proposal in regards to the charge but since then no proposal has been received.

However on yesterday’s appearance the defence lawyer did not turn up and the prosecutor seek to adjourn the case to allow the defence lawyer appear to up-date the court on their intended proposal on the case.

This is the case against Francis Sabale of Haroro Village in Ngella.

Police alleged that the accused has set fire to a building in that village on December 27, 2017.

The matter was reported to Tulagi police in which he was arrested and charged to appear in court.

A 64-year-old man charged with cases of allegedly raping his 11-year-old grand-daughter on several separate occasions at different locations in the West Maringe District of Isabel Province will reappear for the third time in the Honiara Magistrates Court on March 27, 2018 for mention.

Police in Buala arrested and charged the man on February 21, 2018 for allegedly raping his granddaughter at the Tirotue Settlement and Ghozoruru in the Hovikoilo Ward on different dates between December 31, 2015 and February 7, 2018.

The old man is currently remanded at the Rove Correctional Centre in Honiara after two previous appearances on March 6 and 13, 2018.

The Honiara Magistrates Court has set March 27, 2018 for his third appearance for mention.

“Despite the compensation already paid to maintain peace between members of his family, the defendant will have to face the full course of the law given the seriousness of the allegations against him,” says Supervising Provincial Police Commander, Isabel Province, Inspector Oswald Iru.

The maximum penalty if found guilty of rape is life imprisonment.

“I encourage and appeal to the general public in Isabel Province to come forward and report any allegations of sexual abuse of woman and children.

“Maintaining law and order is everyone’s business. The public is encouraged to support police prevent crime against children in our communities,” says Mr Iru.

–POLICE MEDIA

By Mike Puia

AN inspection exercise conducted on secondary, primary and early childhood education schools in Malaita province has found a lot of issues with teachers in the province.

The Whole School Inspection (WSI) exercise was carried out and completed in November last year. 10 schools were covered in this exercise.

Its final report was presented to the Malaita provincial education board last week.

Of the 14 findings noted in the report, two stood out. They are; teachers supplying answers to their students during school exams and teachers not going to classes or absent from class.

Team leader of the exercise, Golman Holi, confirmed the issue of teachers supplying students with answers during exams.

Mr Holi, principal education inspectorate officer, said students and teachers interviewed confirmed this.

He said when comparing marks scored by year-six students in Malaita schools to that of year-six students of Honiara schools, year-six students in Malaita schools got “very high marks” in their national exams.

But, Holi said when one inspects Malaita schools he or she would found out that teachers are without lesson plans, school-based tests and assessment records and there are high teachers absent.

He said teacher absenteeism is “very high” in Malaita schools.

Schools having no clear mission and vision, school leaders not monitoring teachers and students’ assessment, schools lack education policies, weak school board and parent support, school’s grant used outside intended purposes, unsafe classrooms, poor sanitation and drinking water are other findings in the report.

Holi added they hope to inspect 20 more schools in the province next year.

The exercise involves inspectors conducting interviews with students, parents, school committees, teachers and chairman of school boards.

Inspectors also observe teachers in action in their classrooms, what documents they used, how they do their presentations in class and what resources are available in schools.

Holi said they will soon provide their recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD), parents, teachers, their provincial education board and education authorities.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE trial of a man charged with the murder of a young woman at Noro in March 2015 is in its second week in the Gizo Magistrate court, Western province.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Ronald Bei Talasasa Jr has called 11 witnesses so far.

He said the cause of death is undetermined and there is no eye witness.

The accused is represented by George Gray and Mr Waroka, both of the Public Solicitors Office.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

PEOPLE of Rarumana island are disputing a logging operation at the Iriri Paspas camp, Vonavona lagoon, which is reported to have begun on Monday this week.

A well-placed source in Rarumana told the Island Sun Gizo yesterday that Focus Lumber Enterprises logging company conducted its first transshipment of machines inside the bay without the consent of the chiefs and people of Rarumana.

“Community elders ordered the landing craft on Monday morning not to unload the machines before their approval but the company refused,” the source said.

“Chiefs of Rarumana and other villagers were unhappy with the trustees of Vurangare who made the deal to unload the machines, which were also filled with the giant African snail, at Rarumana.

“Villagers were surprised to see the large boat entering the shore without proper consultations with villagers and chiefs of Rarumana.

“The landing craft ship trespassed and will cause potential pollution to the marine environment within our surroundings.”

It is understood that Focus Lumber Enterprises logging Company began operations this week at Iriri Paspas camp, and the landowners and chiefs of Rarumana are not happy with the trustees of Vurangare for going behind their backs and signing the company.

“Community leaders are working closely with the logging firm to halt the operation until further notice,” the source said.

Meanwhile, people of Rarumana are also fearing the introduction of the giant African snail to their shores.

Many have heard of how lethal the pest can be in destroying vegetation, and are worried for their gardens and the island’s flora.

The source said villagers have been urge not to take the law in their own hand but let responsible parties deal with the matter.

The company could not be reached for comments before this paper went to print.