A truck driver was arrested at a traffic checkpoint near near the Tonga National University (TNU) in Kolofo'ou, after allegedly refusing to follow Police instructions, on Friday morning, 21 March. A Police officer and the driver were involved in an altercation and both required medical attention. 

Tonga Police reported that the incident occured when police officer stopped a vehicle due to a traffic violation, where a driver was seen to have an unbuckled seatbelt.

“Upon further inspection, it was confirmed that the vehicle, a light rigid truck, was unregistered and the driver did not have a valid driver's licence.

"When instructed to step out of the vehicle, the driver refused to do so on a number of occasions, and it will be alleged that the driver then initiated a physical altercation with the officer. This resulted in a struggle taking place on the roadside and the driver was arrested," Tonga Police stated. The driver and one of the police officers were taken to the hospital for medical attention.

However, the incident did not end there.

"Regrettably, the police officer has been assaulted in a separate incident, having been targeted by a member of the public following this incident," stated Tonga Police, who said that a thorough police investigation is underway.

"We urge the public to remain calm and allow due process to take its course."