It’s no longer a secret, La’auli Leuatea Fosi Schmidt, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, had been charged with fabricating evidence, conspiracy to commit an offence, defamation, and harassment via electronic means etc. To many who believe in upholding the law, this is not a good look for our country.
This had been the result of months of investigations by the Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services, against a backdrop of volatile public opinion, suspicion, and innuendo. Several MPs have been accused/implicated, but nothing substantial had materialised, until now.
These are testing times for our peaceful nation.
Honourable PM afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa issued a message for the people to stay calm and leave it to God’s guidance. She highlighted the importance of letting the Rule of Law take its course. After all, the issues are matters between La’auli and the Police only.
Looking back on this case, at first, in the absence of the PM, Deputy PM Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio told the nation that the government would make it a top priority. He also said there would be overseas specialist investigators to be brought in to do the job.
A few weeks later, PM afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa said there’s no need for overseas investigators since we have our own skilled officers to do it.
Now, Minister Leatinu’u Wayne Fong posted about those ‘skilled’ officers’ investigations being ‘fishy,’ citing incompetence, and suggesting that officers from overseas should have been brought in. This sounds like a contradiction of the PM’s edict, which was a contradiction of the DPM’s announcements as well.
We cannot afford a lawless country, and we don’t need people adding fuel to the fire by criticising the Police service. Police Minister Faualo Harry Schuster had already explained in Parliament that, should anyone feel aggrieved with the Police service, they should pursue a private prosecution or sue the Police.
I’d say, “Give the Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services a break.” They’re trying their best to serve the nation, and if you’re dissatisfied, then take the Minister’s advice.
