After being acquitted of charges relating to the 2021 Honiara riots, John Kwaita has called on authorities to ensure thorough investigations before taking action against citizens.
He warned that delays and mishandling of justice can have serious personal and professional consequences.
The charges against Kwaita and Simon Mannie arose from the unrest on 24 November 2021, during which widespread destruction occurred across Honiara, particularly in Chinatown.
Each faced one count of unlawful assembly and one count of arson contrary to the Penal Code (Cap 26), after they were alleged to have participated in an unlawful gathering and been involved in procuring and counselling others to set fire to the Kukum Police Station.
Speaking to the media outside of court on Wednesday after being acquitted, Kwaita said he felt “relieved” to finally be cleared after a five-year legal battle.
“I am innocent all along,” he said. “If proper investigations were done and the authorities were serious about justice, I should not even have been involved in this situation.
“We were invited by the police to attend a meeting at the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM)) conference room to help calm the situation at Point Cruz during the riot.
“It was not our intention to be there. I also feel this whole matter was politicised. At that time, I was part of the opposition. Even now, I am the president of the United Party.”
He further added that it felt like it was directed at tarnishing their names.
“That was during the Sogavare government,” Kwaita said.
Kwaita explained the circumstances that led him and Mannie to attend the meeting.
“I was with Mannie at the time because we were both involved in a WINROCK project focused on livestock,” he said.
Kwaita said they had originally planned to go up to his farm to inspect the project when the police officer in command of the operation called Mannie.
“He (the officer) asked us to attend an initial meeting at ACOM to help calm the situation at Point Cruz, where a large crowd had gathered.
“That was why we came down, and it was simply due to the request of the authority that we ended up there,” Kwaita said.
Reflecting on the impact of the case, Kwaita said it had affected him personally, professionally and socially.
“It pulled my integrity through. It tarnished my credibility as a leader in my community and church and it damaged my business.”
He added that the bail conditions even restricted his travel, affecting his business, which he operates both locally and internationally,” he said.
“Justice is served but delayed.”
Kwaita said he felt wronged because justice delayed is justice denied.
“I do not wish this happen on anyone. Authorities must do proper investigations, get the facts, and ensure that everyone’s rights are respected, whether a leader or an ordinary citizen.”
On his next steps, he said: “It is too soon to think about further legal actions. I will let it sink in first before deciding.”
When reporters asked Mannie if he had anything to say, he declined to comment.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
