Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi resigned as Tonga’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, as well as the Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces this afternoon, 2 March.

The Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva in a statement from the PM Office stated, “I received this afternoon Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi’s letter of resignation from Cabinet and I have accepted it. . . .”

He said he would inform His Majesty, King Tupou VI to forthwith revoke Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi’s appointment as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and as Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

This morning it was already out in the “Coconut Wireless” that the Prime Minister has dismissed Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi from his Cabinet. Radio Tonga also reported that Lord Ma’afu said that he has not received a letter of dismissal from the Prime Minister.

Also hot in the “Coconut Wireless”, that the Prime Minister has approached Hon. Lupepau’u Taione to be a Minister of his Cabinet. Unfortunately at this stage we have not been able to confirm this with Hon. Lupepau’u.