PHOTO: The fire gutted the concrete house where Hon. Pohiva lived destroying almost everything in the house. Photo/One News
Important documents belonging to Prime Minister ’Akilisi Pohiva are feared missing after the house he was living in was gutted by fire this morning.
Kele’a News Website said earlier this evening that Hon. Pohiva’s two daughters, Laucala and Teisa, entered the house while it was still burning in an attempt to save the Prime Minister’s office documents.
They were allowed to enter the building by the fire service, but only managed to save part of the documents.
However, some important legal papers prepared for a court case have not been found.
The Prime Minister is involved in a number of court cases, including one involving the transfer of US$25 million (TP50 million/NZ$33 million) of Chinese grant money to Princess Pilolevu’s satellite company.
Hon. Pohiva and the Public Service Association were recently granted leave by Judge Scott in the Court of Appeal to pursue a civil action over the matter.
Judge Scott ruled that the two plaintiffs had to pay TP$20,000 (NZ$13,000) each as security over the likely court costs.
The Prime Minister’s son, Siaosi Pohiva, recently declared he would sue Matangi Tonga Online and writer Sione Mokofisi for libel over an article accusing him of using his influence to persuade cabinet to buy computer software.
It is believed the Prime Minister’s daughters were trying to contact him to see if he had taken the documents with him to New Zealand.
The Prime Minister and his wife, Neomai, are in Auckland for medical care.
The Prime Minister is due to return to Tonga this Saturday.
It is believed most of the records of the Prime Minister’s political career were stored in the house.
Tonga Fire and Emergency Service Commissioner Lofia Heimuli was reported as saying the cause of the fire had yet to be established.
The house belonged to Hon. Pohiva’s son, Siaosi Pohiva, who is working in Fiji.
Kaniva News was unable to reach the Prime Minister for comment this evening.
The main points
- Fire gutted Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s house this morning and his family is worried that important court documents may have been lost in the fire.
- Most of the records of Hon. Pohiva’s political career were stored in the house.
- The Prime Minister and his wife are in Auckland for medical treatment.
- The Prime Minister is involved in a number of court cases, including one involving the transfer of US$25 million (TP50 million/NZ$33 million) of Chinese grant money to Princess Pilolevu’s satellite company.
