FOUR men accused of robbing $4 million from Westpac Bank in Honiara early this year have been released on bail yesterday. Patterson Amos Otokwai, Duddley Baemalia, Jonathan Wanefilio and Stanley Waneakwasia were each released on cash bail bond of $1,500, with strict bail conditions. They all signed a recognition bond before they were released as…
The newly constructed Auki Police Station will be officially opened soon. That’s according to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast when responding to questions from the local media yesterday. He said, at the moment, officers are being stationed in the newly built police station awaiting the official opening. “We have…
A MAN who allegedly raped his step-daughter at the Kola’a Ridge graveyard in 2013 has been cleared off the charge. This followed the girl’s change of story in the witness box, admitting the sex was consensual. This was on Wednesday in the High Court when the matter came for trial. As a result the prosecution…
ABOUT 40 new police recruits will kick off their intensive police training next Monday. Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Frank Prendergast confirmed this during a press conference on Thursday. The newly recruited officers were selected from all the 9 provinces across the country. “We have got 40 new recruits that will…
A MAN on trial for rape at the High Court is now facing sentence on a lesser charge. The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the allegedvictim, stood trial on Wednesday in the High Court for one count ofrape. However, during the cross-examination of the alleged victim, she agreed to what…
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has clarified doubts and confusions surrounding the contracts of Permanent Secretaries. This was done when they appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing recently. A spokesman said currently nine PS positions were vacant since 10th December 2014. “These posts were extended to 1st of April, 2015 to give time…
IN a world-first, a survey module about back pain, arthritis and other musculoskeletal health problems is being piloted in the Solomon Islands national Demographic and Health Survey this month. The musculoskeletal survey module has been developed by the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). The Demographic and Health…
Member of Parliament (MP) for South Malaita Rick Hou has questioned the independency of the chairman for Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC) and Minister for Finance as PEC members saying its a conflict of interest when they try to make any decision. This was raised during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing of the Prime Minister’s…
A NUMBER of fish vendors are still selling the salt fish at the Central Market despite a ban being imposed by the market management and the Honiara City Council. The ban which restricts vendors from selling salt fish at the market was agreed upon this week following a meeting. Market Master Saxson Ofata early this…
THE recent closure of the Honiara Central Market has affected market vendors in their daily sales of products. Speaking to this paper on Thursday, a group of women said for the past three days they are not receiving any income at all. They said they do not see any reason to close the market for…