Minister charged for negligent driving

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 31 March 2025 – The Minister for Commerce Industry and Labour, Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua has been charged with negligent driving causing injury and dangerous driving in connection with a car crash at Le Mafa Pass on Saturday afternoon.

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed that the minister has also surrendered his travel documents and was released on bail pending his court appearance on 29 April.

Faleomavaega was the driver of the white Prado government vehicle with a MCIL number plate that was involved in a car crash with a black vehicle carrying four passengers.

Police confirmed that one of the passengers in the black vehicle sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the Moto’otua hospital while three other passengers were treated and discharged.

Police said that speeding was a factor in the collision.

Faleomavaega is the Member of Parliament for Aleipata Itupa I Luga who came through a by-election in mid 2021 and was promoted to a ministerial post following the termination of four cabinet ministers in January this year.