Results for Tonga

Lopeti Heimuli is the new CEO for the Ministry of Infrastructure for the next four years effective from 10 May, the Public Service Commission announced this week.

Rosamond Carter Bing has been re-appointed as the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, for four-years.

Hon. Mr Justice Cooper has rejected an application that he recuse himself from presiding over the Lavulavu trial. The application was made by 'Etuatu Lavulavu on 10 May. The judge concluded that evidence during the trial suggested that Lavulavu's complaints that he undermined its fairness, were without any foundation. The trial against the Lavulavu couple continues in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Tonga has prohibited the import of passenger vehicles older than 15 years under a recent Customs and Excise Management Act Order 2021 made on 2 March. Forfeiture and penalities came into effect last week on 3 May, said the Ministry of Revenue and Customs yesterday.

The trial against current Cabinet Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband 'Etuate Lavulavu is going ahead, after a Supreme Court judge ruled there is a criminal case to answer against both of them on all three counts. They are jointly charged with obtaining over $500,000 pa'anga by false pretences, relating to a number of irregularities in an audit at the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute. It is alleged that the couple knowingly falsified student applications in order to claim TVET grants.

Two repatriation flights are planned for June from Auckland, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia, confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u today.

The findings of a recent survey on the impact of COVID-19 on hundreds of women in Tonga, conducted by the “Women and Children Crisis Centre”, are expected to be published at the end of the month.

‘Alifeleti Uasi (18) was sentenced today to 18-months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm, when he injured a shopkeeper with rocks at a Chinese shop. He was drunk and was denied getting a can of soda, which he did not have enough money for. The judge said it was clear that the accused had a very real problem with alcohol.

The Tongan Government is rolling out business recovery support payments to those in the informal sector, who have suffered financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.