Photos by Hina Fifita

A wave of destruction is continuing in Tonga as a third vandalism incident was reported early this morning from Vava...’u High School where the monitors of up to a dozen computers were smashed by intruders.

Tonga's Police Commander Sinilau Kolokihakaufisi said that the incident took place at 1 a.m. today and those responsible for the damage to 11 computers were suspected to be school students.

Meanwhile, Tonga's Director of Education Viliami Takau, said that some people had broken into Vava'u High School early this morning and broke monitors on 12 computers. "It is rather unfortunate, because they were new computers bought for the school recently by the PTA and valued at about $9,000," he said.

"They also tried to burn the classroom next door to the computer room but fortunately the security and the fire engine arrived so there was not much damage, but there was evidence that gasoline had been poured around."

Viliami said the school had its own security guard and the police were also present to protect the school. "But the people who broke in must have been watching them," he said.

Arson attacks

This damage comes after a day when one of the King...’s homes, Uoleva, was gutted by fire at the village of Tatakamotonga early yesterday morning.

The Police Commander said today they were treating the fire as another arson attack after police investigators found traces and the smell of benzene inside the compound, as well as a torn fence on the side of the home indicating the entrance of intruders.

This is the third act of destruction done to Government property in the month of August as civil servants continue striking in Tonga.

The first incident took place on August 17 when Tonga College students smashed windows and property at the school...’s administration building followed by the burning of four Government vehicles at the Department of Revenue office at Nuku...’alofa the following day.

Sinilau said that police were still carrying out their investigations to track down those who had committed these crimes.

Meanwhile, in Nuku...’alofa it is evident that police officers are standing guard at night at some central Government offices.