Suspect demands for matches before returning with bush knife & strikes neck of deceased

The Operation Team of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have arrested a 47-year-old male person in relation to the death of a 27-year-old male person at Borderline area in East Honiara on 26 December 2022.

Supervising Director NCID Inspector Leslie Simao says the deceased and two others were drinking kwaso (homebrew) along the road at Kobito 3 and Borderline area when they were approached by the suspect, who asked them for a matches (lighter). The boys replied stating that they had no matches but the suspect insisted on asking and later left.

Simao continued: “The suspect returns with a long bush knife and approaches the boys angrily and strikes the deceased on his left neck and he falls on the ground.”

“His friends sought assistance from the community and the deceased was rushed to the National Referral Hospital and later pronounced dead,” he stated.

Simao confirmed that the suspect was arrested and brought before the Honiara Central Magistrates’ Court yesterday and is now remanded at Rove Correctional Facility and will reappear again in court on 10 January 2023.

He says, “I want to appeal to the relatives of the deceased to stay calm and let police deal with the investigation into the sad incident. My Condolences to the immediate family of the deceased as they mourned the death of their loved one.”

Police mediates

Meanwhile officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have conducted a mediation in relation in relation to the murder incident.

The mediation was between the deceased and the suspect’s party and it took place at Naha police station.

The mediation was guided by RSIPF Superintendent William Foufaka and Honiara City Operations Manager Inspector Tex Tafoa.

Foufaka says the mediation was done in respect of our Melanesian culture and to maintain peace between parties involved.

Foufaka thanked both parties for their understanding, cooperation and acceptance. And advise both parties to refrain from taking law into their own hands while police investigate the matter.

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