BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The Magistrates’ Court has fined a man $300 for illegally selling goods within the Honiara City boundaries without a valid hawker’s licence.
Charlie Kali, of Temotu Province, was charged with one count of hawking in a public place without a hawker’s licence, contrary to Section 3(1) of the principal Hawkers Ordinance and Section 3(2) of the Honiara City Council (Hawkers) Amendment Ordinance 2023.
The court heard that Kali was formally arrested and charged on March 30, 2026, after Honiara City Council (HCC) law enforcement officers spotted him selling knives, files and dozens of spoon sets to members of the public in front of Talon Shop at Point Cruz.
The defendant failed to appear during his previous court appearances, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
HCC law enforcement officers executed the warrant on Monday, leading to his re-arrest and appearance before the court to enter his plea.
Principal Magistrate Ben Alasia presided over the matter during sentencing earlier this week.
Kali pleaded guilty to the charge and was ordered to pay a fine of $300 by 9am on Monday, May 25.
Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving one month imprisonment at Rove Correctional Centre.
The court considered the defendant’s personal circumstances before imposing the penalty.
Head of HCC Law Enforcement Unit, Robert Madeo, earlier told Island Sun that officers will continue to enforce the regulation through mobile patrols and monitoring within the Honiara township area.
Mr Madeo also warned street vendors against engaging in illegal hawking activities, saying offenders will be arrested and charged.
The maximum penalty for hawking in a public place without a hawker’s licence is a fine of $1,000 or 40 days imprisonment.
Harry Bisafo prosecuted the matter on behalf of HCC, while Kali represented himself in court.
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