Mateni Topui (62) from the village of Navutoka, in eastern Tongatapu died at Vaiola Hospital on Monday morning 4 January after drinking from a bottle of hazardous weed killing chemicals.

Detective Inspector Semi Ve’ehala from the Mu’a Police station told the Matangi Tonga today 7 January, that it is alleged that Mateni was mistakenly given a bottle of the hazardous weed killer, instead of a bottle of Tongan medicine. After the victim took a gulp of the weedkiller his family discovered the major error and rushed him to Vaiola Hospital on Tuesday, 29 December 2015.

A post-mortem was conducted this morning, by Police Magistrate, Peni Ma’u, Dr Sisi Latu and four jurors concluded that Mateni Topui’s death was caused by his drinking of the hazardous weed killer.

The funeral of the deceased took place this afternoon.