APIA: 23 Feb 2010: Police will charge the matais of Gataivai village for obstruction to Police work. This follows the burning of three village homes last weekend and Police have had limited access to enter the village for investigations due to obstruction by the village.
Police Commissioner, Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo says the village members loaded in a bus, came to the Police station in Tuasivi, Savai'i Island last weekend, wanting Police to release a male of their village who was held by police for investigations in relation to the suspected arson. The male was released later.
Lilomaiava says Police are negotiating with the village so they can investigate the matter and if need be, some members of the village could be charged for obstruction of police work.
Lilomaiava also denied newspaper reports that the village came in a busload ready to take over the Police station in order to take back a male member of the village that Police held at the Salelologa wharf for investigation.
It is not clear what happened that led to the burning of the village homes, but sources say the village had given the families affected an ultimatum and failing to obey resulted in the burning.