36 year old brother charged for his younger brothers’ death

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 04 JANUARY 2022: A 36 year old man of Safa’i village in Savaii is in police custody charged with the murder of his 26 year old brother.

Acting Police Commissioner, Afamasaga Samuelu Afamasaga confirmed the death that is again linked to the locally made Rover alcohol which the brothers were drinking on Wednesday evening before the incident.

Information given the police said an argument developed between the brothers and ended with the 26 year old brother attacking his older brother with a machete.

The older brother was unconscious for some time and when he came to, he went looking for his younger brother.

The police report said the older brother found his younger brother on the road then struck him with a carrying pole – amo which hit him on the head.

Police suspect the force of the strike caused an injury that resulted in the 26 year olds death.

It is not the first time the widely available Rover alcohol has been linked to the cause of disputes which ended in deaths in the last two years.

From these incidents, the Police encouraged the previous Government to change the law on locally produced alcohol but nothing changed.

In August 2020, former Police Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil met with the Samoa Liquor Board that far too many alcohol related violent incidents have resulted in unnecessary deaths, domestic violence, traffic accidents or unlawful entrance that have been recorded.

The current Government is moving to test the alcohol with SROS to determine its content and safety for the general public.