The Honiara City Council (HCC) Law Enforcement officers formally arrested and charged Mr. David Kwan on Thursday, 11 December 2025, for failing to comply with the Council’s Market Ordinance.
Mr Kwan of KCM Properties Limited was charged with conducting a private market without prior written permission from the council, a statement issued by HCC Media said on Monday 15th December.
“These trading activities were carried out without approval from HCC and were therefore illegal,” the statement said.
Mr Kwan is expected to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, to respond to the charges laid against him.
HCC Law Enforcement officers recently demolished the Firehouse area as part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to control illegal trading, improve public order, and ensure all market activities follow city laws.
After the demolition, HCC clearly informed the property owner that no trading or vending was allowed in the area.
Despite this clear instruction, HCC Law Enforcement later observed that the Firehouse area had been reopened and that cloth vendors had resumed selling clothes illegally.
This action was taken without Council approval and directly breached the Market Ordinance.
Honiara City Council reminds all landowners and business operators that private ownership does not exempt them from following Council laws. All markets within the city must operate legally.
HCC remains said, it committed to enforcing its ordinances fairly and urges the public to comply with all market regulations to maintain order, safety, and fairness in Honiara City.
Its understood Mr Kwan took steps to reopen the area after the High Court of Solomon Islands on Friday 5th December 2025 granted interim orders in favour of KCM Properties Limited in proceedings against the Honiara City Council concerning the Point Cruz / Firehouse Clothing Market on Parcel No. 191-023-172.
KCM Properties said, it acknowledges the hardship faced by many of the mostly women stallholders who rely on the Point Cruz market to support their families.
