Police deputy Commissioner Papali’i Monalisa Tia’i-Keti (inset : Lafagaoali’i hogtied body)
By Staff Writer
Police are keeping the faith on working together with village councils as a general rule, in order to maintain law and order in Samoa.
The supportive reaction from the law enforcement arm of Government, is in response to the ‘back to the dark ages’ violence a week ago at Lefagoali’i village in Savai’i.
A 73 year old man was carried around the village hanging close to the ground while tied hands and feet to a wooden pole.
He was threatened to be ‘cooked alive’ for allegedly offending the authority of the chiefs and orators of the village.
“While we are saddened by this incident, we continue to believe in working collaboratively with our village councils to ensure a safe and secure Samoa,” Deputy Police Commissioner, Papali’i Monalisa Tia’i-Keti reassured.
Chiefs and orators held accountable for the Lefagaoali’i violence were chastised for the excessive use of force that overstepped the boundaries of village by-laws.
“The Constitution remains the Supreme law of Samoa and therefore fundamental rights must be respected,” Papali’i admonished the violation of the victim’s rights.
The deputy Commission pointedly remarked as well that the Constitution also puts the emphasis on the country motto that ‘Samoa Is Founded On God.”
“Situations like what occurred should serve as an example for village councils to be aware of and find alternative methods to address differences and not rely on excessive use of force.”
Savai’i police at Tuasivi were reportedly allowed to carry out their usual investigations and arrests with the customary support and show of respect or ‘ava fata fata’ from the village.
Papali’i welcomed the show of public support with high praises for the show of respect to police work.
“This is what makes Samoa unique, no one knows our country better than us and therefore it’s a must to all of us to continue to work together to ensure a safe and secure Samoa.”
The police spokesperson went on to assure that the gravity of incidents similar to the nature of what happened at Lefagaoali’i village “…differs with each case” but “…are very few and far in between.”
The elderly victim has since recovered from injuries of his ordeal after he was referred across from Savaii’i to Apia, for medical attention at the Motootua TTM Hospital.
Chiefs and orators in the Savaii village, however, have been forced to go into damage control mode, by shifting off the blame to the independent actions of a group of only a few, not sanctioned by the authority of the cultural rule makers.
The Lefagaoali’i village has come under a rage of national criticisms for the embarrassment to the whole country of their shameful, illegal action.
Police confirmed 12 arrests among the chiefs and orators involved, shortly after the violence breakout.
All will make court appearances in the coming weeks on charges ranging from kidnapping to being armed with dangerous weapons and common assault.
Police confirmed that all the arrests made were of men and no women.