By Martha Taumata Faavae
The Minister of Women, Social and Community Development is not smiling at numerous instances of reported emergency lockdown violations in the villages.
Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama is disappointed that it shows the village ‘pulenu’u’ and ‘sui tama’ita’i’ have failed in their duties.
Restricted cultural practices like funerals are still happening in the villages.
The Minister holds very strongly that this is a job for the appointed Government representatives who are more effective with the policing in the villages.
“Right now we need everyone to work together to support our police service enforce the lockdown restrictions,” Tuitama said.
“A lot of trust is given to our ‘pulenu’u’ and ‘sui tama’ita’i’ to help out.”
The Minister said the only request to Cabinet from his Ministry when the lockdown was extended a second 4 weeks period, was to allow for village council meetings.
The intention was to encourage the authority of the village councils to help with the policing of the lockdown restrictions.
“As the Cabinet Minister in charge, I am very sad and disappointed with all the violation reports coming in.
“We have our Government representatives in the villages and their role comes into question when they are not out there reminding everyone of the rules.”
Family funerals were shown live on social media and it showed very clearly all the violations that included the restrictions to the number of people allowed.
Traditional presentations of fine mats and food were also shown all in violation of village bans.
The giving of gifts was also being put forward prior to when the body of the deceased is brought home to lie in state, as it is the custom.
The early presentation is designed to avoid the police finding out.
The Minister’s woes extended to village church leaders who were also seen to give little regard to the grouping of people allowed.
The Commissioner of Police, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, has already revealed the added workload of trying to police the lockdown legal orders.
The Commissioner appealed to the support of the village councils for the restrictions to be observed by asserting their own authority or calling in the police.
“All we need is to be called in and we will come around and enforce the lockdown and that is that.”
Fuiavailili admitted that the Ministry does not have enough officers to keep watch of all the activities that are going on around the country.