Results for Tonga

A 40-year-old man charged in relation to the seizure of 14.06 grams of alleged methamphetamine on March 17 is due to appear at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court next week.

A 23-year-old woman was allowed a fully suspended prison sentence of 21 months after being convicted of reckless driving causing grievous bodily harm to a woman in Havelu last year, when she drove while under the influence of alcohol.

After a late start, Parliament closed early yesterday, Monday March 18, while the House was in a deadlock over a demand by the Acting Speaker Lord Tu‘ilakepa for the Prime Minister to explain why the six Bills he had tabled into parliament were urgent.

A Supreme Court judge expressed concern that accused Meth mule Viliami Mangisi (59), was granted bail by a lower court, after he was late for his first appearance at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa this morning. The judge issued a warrant for Mangisi's arrest shortly before he turned up to face charges in relation to the seizure of 1.9 kilos of meth at Fua'amotu Airport departure lounge last year.

There is a growing and urgent need to rid Tonga of plastics, say youth groups who are on the frontline of a fight against single use plastics. The youth who conduct regular rubbish collections in coastal and popular picnic areas and public places say the problem of plastic waste is getting worse. By Eleanor Gee.

A young Tongan-American actress, dancer, and singer, Visesia Fakatoufifita (11) is reaping the benefits of her hard work having landed her first major role as Annie in ‘Annie’ at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington, at the end of last year, and cast as Cassie in the Village Theatre’s “The Passage” in Issaquah, Washington last month.

Two methamphetamine cases with the Magistrate’s Court have been further adjourned to May awaiting the result of drug test from New Zealand.

Viliami Latu was convicted of fraudulently converting $1,200 pa’anga, while working as the second in charge at the Ministry of Finance in Neiafu.

The Tongan Parliament degenerated to a one-party political system yesterday afternoon, 12 March, when the only Members left in the House were Cabinet Ministers and their supporters, after the Noble's Representatives walked out, along with three People's Representatives, Tevita Lavemaau, Siaosi Sovaleni and Samiu Vaipulu.