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China Railway worker dies following armed robbery: MCA

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

An Indonesian man has reportedly died after he was attacked in an armed robbery on Wednesday, July 2.

This is according to a press statement from the Ministry of Communication and Aviation.

The deceased, identified as Mr Ngabdullah, was a Security Supervisor with China Railway Construction Engineering Group Company Limited (CRCEG), a statement from the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) yesterday said.

Police are however unaware of the incident, police media told Island Sun when contacted yesterday for comment.

Meanwhile, the MCA statement said Mr Ngabdullah “passed away on July 8, 2025 at the National Referral Hospital, from injuries believed to have been sustained while responding to a violent robbery at the company’s Honiara International Airport premises on July 2, 2025 which he bravely attempted to defend”.

Ngabdullah was a highly respected and dedicated member of the security team, the statement said.

The ministry said they are working closely with CRCEG and relevant authorities to ensure repatriation of Ngabdullah’s body to his family in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, an official report is being prepared to determine the full circumstances surrounding his passing, the MCA statement said.

“Once concluded, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will proceed with appropriate actions.

“The Solomon Islands Government strongly condemns this appalling and senseless act of violence, which has no place in our society. Authorities are treating the case with the utmost seriousness.

“We urge anyone who may have information related to the incident to come forward and contact the police on 36111,” the statement said.

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29-yo on multiple charges to plea July 29

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A 29-year-old man facing multiple charges is scheduled to return to court at the end of July 2025 to enter his plea.

Reginald Joseph is charged with two counts of domestic violence, one count of intimidation and molestation and one count of malicious injuries.

The matter was heard in the Magistrate Court on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, where prosecution confirmed the charges and made several minor amendments.

Court adjourned the case to July 29 for plea.

During adjournment, court directed defence to obtain instructions from the defendant and prepare him for plea.

The complainant, 54, and the defendant, 29, are related as father and son.

The alleged incident took place on August 24, 2022 at Mamasa Village, Central Guadalcanal.

It is alleged that Joseph, the defendant returned home drunk that night and found that no food was left for him.

In anger, he reportedly threw all their household cooking utensils outside of their house.

The complainant, who was awoken by the noise decided to throw a stone at the defendant in an attempt to stop him from causing further damage.

The stone allegedly landed on the defendant’s back, prompting him to pick up a stone and chase the complainant.

A witness who was present at the scene, intervened and told the defendant to put down the stone, to which he complied.

Police further alleged that on June 2, 2024, at Mamasa village, the defendant intimidated the second victim.

The defendant armed with a kitchen knife and a container of petrol threatened to burn the second victim’s house.

On January 14, 2025, the defendant allegedly damaged the wall of a dwelling house that belongs to the second victim.

The matter was reported to Tetere police and the defendant was arrested and dealt with accordingly.

Able Maelanga appears for crown and Bethsaida Kere appear for defence.

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Lunga murder case adjourned

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of three men accused of murder at the Markworth area in Lunga, east Honiara in May 2025 has been adjourned for Monday next week.

The matter was mentioned before Chief Magistrate, Emma Garo yesterday.

Junior Kupa, 21, Richard Kupa, 25, and Mathias Kupa, 22, are charged with one count of murder.

According to police, the incident occurred on May 10, 2025 at Markworth area, Lunga, Henderson. It is alleged that the deceased was involved in an argument with another individual.

At the time of argument, the other man was reportedly rolling a local cigarette (referred to as savu savu) and holding a can of SB beer.

Police alleged that the deceased approached from behind and grabbed the SB can from the man. In response, the man took the can back and allegedly told the deceased that he would not give him any beer, stating that the deceased “always becomes aggressive when he drinks”.

The deceased became angry at the individual and swore at him. In response, the individual reportedly ran back to his house and retrieved a knife, intending to confront the deceased. However, his father intervened and stopped him.

Shortly after, defendant Richard arrived at the scene and asked the individual what kind of insult or swear word the deceased had used against him.

The individual then informed Richard, who proceeded to follow the deceased and kicked the deceased on the right side of his abdomen with his left leg, causing the deceased to fall to the ground and strike his back at the base of a tree.

When the deceased lay on the ground facing upward, the other two defendants, Junior and Mathias, joined Richard and continuously kicked and punched the deceased until he laid still.

Later they rushed the deceased to the hospital however, upon arrival, he was pronounced dead.

A doctor confirmed that the cause of death was due to the assault inflicted by the three defendants.

Office of Public Prosecution is prosecuting.

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Borderline murder case adjourns for July 30

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The Borderline murder case involving seven defendants accused in connection with the killing of a 24-year-old man has been adjourned for July, 30 2025 for mention and possible plea.

Hudson Eddie Asuani, Greg Metefaka, Jimmy Rusileta, Redley Daua, Junior Danganabe’u, Richard Sangula and Kevin Sibele are jointly charged with murder.

There was no appearance of any prosecutor during yesterday’s court session, as the prosecution office was at the funeral of their late colleague.

Defence confirmed that only three of the seven defendants currently have legal representatives while the remaining four are yet to be allocated legal counsels.

Defence also told court they are still waiting for disclosures from prosecution.

Court adjourned the matter and directed the Public Solicitor’s Office practice manager to ensure that legal representatives are assigned to the remaining defendants during the course of adjournment.

Police alleged that on May 16, 2025, the seven defendants were drinking and causing disturbance at the Mamulele water area, near a bridge and Jacob ladder leading up to Milestone.

At around 3am on May 17, it was alleged that the body of a male person was discovered lying on the steps of the Jacob ladder. The male person was not responding but still breathing.

An eyewitness reported seeing the defendants running down the Jacob ladder shortly before the body was discovered.

Witnesses reported hearing defendant Richard Sangula say ‘the boy is probably dead’.

Shortly after, Sangula was seen with defendant Kevin Sibele’s girlfriend, swapping shirts and she gave him a red T- shirt she was wearing at the time.

It was later confirmed that with use of ultraviolent, the shirt had blood stains on it.

Defendant Kevin allegedly prevented his girlfriend from viewing the body, attempting to hide evidence of the crime scene.

The post-mortem revealed that the deceased sustained severe head injuries, including two cuts and a star-shaped wound to the back of his head, a cracked scalp and an injury above his left eye.

The injuries were consistent with the use of a blunt smooth object, such as a stone or brick and a strong kick to the left side of the belly and on the left side of his back.

Lazarus Waroka acts for Redley Daua.

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Accused in G-Plain murder case allocated lawyer

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man accused of murdering a woman in Guadalcanal Plains in May, 2025 has finally been allocated legal representation.

Richard Sonia, 25, is charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of Penal Code, and one count of rape contrary to section 136 F (1) (a) and (b) of the Penal Code, as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016.

Both charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Prosecution did not appear in court due to their attendance of the funeral of their late colleague.

A defence counsel from PSO, (Public Solicitor’s Office) who appeared on behalf of the defendant, informed the court that the matter has been allocated to a lawyer from their office, Donation Houa.

The defence however, did not have instructions as to whether Houa received disclosures from the prosecution or not.

The matter has been adjourned to Wednesday, July 23, 2025 for a possible plea.

Court also directed that prosecution serve disclosures to the defence, if it hasn’t been done during the course of adjournment.

The deceased was a 29-year-old woman.

The incident occurred on May 21, 2025 in the cocoa area near GPPOL II, North Guadalcanal.

Sonia was allegedly intoxicated when he encountered the deceased while she was washing clothes at a well.  

It is further alleged that the defendant attempted to grab the deceased but when she resisted, he used a stone to hit her on the forehead and then raped her.

The deceased later died as a result from the attack by the defendant.

Office of Director of Public Prosecution is prosecuting and Donation Houa acts for the defendant.

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RISKY BUSINESS

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-Call to investigate Xiao’s Henderson hotel building

-Shops operating in ground floor while three-storeys above under construction

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

People in East Guadalcanal are calling on the Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) to investigate and stop businesses operating at Xiao’s Henderson Hotel Ltd, located at Henderson.

This is the same hotel that came under spotlight earlier this year in the issue of tax exemption by former finance minister, Manasseh Sogavare.

A total of five Chinese retailers opened their shops on the ground floor of the three-story building, early this month and are operating business as usual while the building is still under construction.

Island Sun also witnessed ongoing work on the upper three floors yesterday.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, David Bigha, a teacher by profession, said that responsible authorities must step in and take action to stop such unacceptable actions.

“Who permitted them to open the shops while the building is still under construction. Authorities, especially the GPG, must take action. This is not safe for the general public,” said Mr Bigha.

“They need to come forward, inspect this building, and close down the shops while construction is still ongoing,” he added.

A construction worker who spoke to Island Sun yesterday under condition of anonymity, said the shops started operating as of July 1, 2025.

“The owner decided to open the down floor to business so he could pay back his loan. Rental for shops is $25,000 per month. One of the shops is $50,000 since it is a double room,” the worker said.

The worker said that the building is expected to be fully completed by October this year since construction started in December 2024.

He said the three-story building contains around 200 rooms in the upper floors.

A Chinese shop owner who operates one of the ground-floor shops said he is willing to accept any decision taken regarding the issue.

“I’m operating because my business licence to operate here was accepted.

“However, I am willing to close down my shop if I am advised to.

“So far, we haven’t received any notice from the authorities,” he told Island Sun.

One GPG officer spoken to at the site yesterday said they were surprised to see businesses operating while construction is still ongoing.

“This issue brings more attention, and it needs to be addressed,” the GPG officer said.

The owner of the building could not be reached for comments before this paper went to print last night.

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Guadalcanal leads in education reforms with historic agreement signing

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) has become the first province to formally sign an agency agreement with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) to implement the Education Act 2023.

The agreement signed on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at the Honiara Hotel, formalises the partnership between the two parties and marks a major step in decentralising education governance in the country.

Minister for Education, Tozen Leokana said the agreement is a step forward; realizing the vision of decentralisation and inclusive governance and bringing decision-making and support closer to the schools, children and communities.

Under this agreement, the province is given a greater authority in planning and managing its education system, while still being aligned to MEHRD’s national goals, policies and the new act.

“It empowers the Guadalcanal provincial government to make decisions on educational matters that are timely, protocol-specific and based on realities on the ground,” Minister Leokana said.

Speaking to Island Sun, Provincial Education Minister, John Botsi said with the agreement, the provincial government is setting up an additional body to ensure the smooth implementation of the act.

Botsi described the signing as a “new chapter in the history of education”. 

“We are simply repealing the old act so in a way, we are saying good bye to the old act and welcoming the new act,” Botsi said.

The signing ceremony was attended by officials from the MEHRD, GPG and representatives of Education providers and schools.

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Guadalcanal strengthens education sector under new reform plan

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Guadalcanal Provincial Government is introducing sweeping reforms to further improve the province’s education sector.

Facing a growing population surpassing 180,000, Premier Willie Atu said education is a key priority for his government.

“The population increase is something that we take on board as an opportunity to make a difference,” said Atu.

The premier said that key policies and programs are in place to implement the new Education Act.

“One of the central pillars of this reform is strengthening our manpower,” he said.

He revealed that his government has increased its human resources budget to support structural reforms, and senior officers have already been recruited to lead the province’s education offices, with more appointments expected soon.

Premier Atu also announced the development of a draft Provincial Education Coordination Plan, which will be shared with relevant ministries upon its completion.

“This is a clear demonstration of our seriousness and readiness to deliver on our mandate under the new Act,” he said.

Under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF), the premier confirmed that GPG remains committed to improving school infrastructure, learning facilities, and overall education environments.

“Community participation will remain a cornerstone of the province’s education development agenda,” he added.

Premier Atu also highlighted that under the government’s three-year rolling plan, they have taken into account assessment results indicating that schools in Guadalcanal are underperforming in literacy, numeracy, science, and mathematics.

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Buma centre classroom needs renovation 

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Buma Pastoral Training Centre’s classroom in West Kwaio, Malaita Province is in need of urgent renovation.

According to Fr Charles Taloi Kwai, Director of the centre, the building has been standing since the 1960s thus is not safe to continue using it.

He said that while he oversees and manages the training centre, he’ll try his best to acquire funds to renovate the building. 

Kwai said the renovation of the old classroom will not require any funding from the Diocese of Auki, but he said he will send request letters to his friends in and around Malaita Province. 

He mentioned that he has some good news from his friends so he’s hopeful that he can do this.

However, along with renovating the classroom, the catechists also plan and aim to build some new staff houses when they come back to take Block 4 in December 2025.

The centre is built and manned by the Catholic Diocese of Auki.

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Auki police cautions sea travellers

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Auki Police is calling on sea travellers, especially boat and ship owners, to pay attention to weather updates before traveling to and from the islands during this bad weather.

PPC Supervising Michael Ramosaea made the call, stating that lives can be lost and properties can be damaged during such weather.

“Yes, I want to make a call for all boat and ship owners, and especially the passengers, to please check weather forecasts and updates before making any trip between our islands,” Ramosaea said.

“As lives can be lost and properties can be damaged, I want to remind everyone to please take precautions,” he added.

The country is still experiencing unstable weather.

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