The Attorney General, Su’a Hellene Wallwork, has made her stance clear regarding the missing $175,000 from Fa’asaleleaga No. 2. In a legal opinion addressed to the Ministry of Finance, she emphasized that the funds, classified as public money, must be accounted for, and those responsible should face consequences.
The case remains unresolved, with the whereabouts of the funds unknown. Released to two individuals—Ta’ita’ifono and the Committee Secretary—the money’s disappearance has raised serious concerns. Under the law, any suspected theft of public funds requires police intervention, yet no such action has been initiated in this instance.
There are questions about whether the Steering Committee should be investigated for potentially covering up for those involved. Misuse of public funds constitutes a crime under the Crimes Act, making transparency and accountability essential. The Attorney General supported the Ministry of Finance’s recommendation to give Fa’asaleleaga No. 2 a 14-day notice to respond to the findings. Failure to respond could result in dispute resolution and possible penalties, including refunding the misused amount and withholding future grants.
However, the decision to penalize the entire district has sparked criticism, particularly since the district itself raised concerns about the missing funds. Some argue that the accountability should fall directly on Hon. Magele Sekati Fiaui and the Committee Secretary rather than penalizing the broader community.
Hon. Magele has denied allegations of misusing the money and maintains his innocence. There are calls for him to step aside and allow a police investigation to proceed, which he asserts would clear his name if he is indeed innocent. Yet, concerns linger over the Finance Ministry’s transparency, especially regarding the release of investigation findings to the public.
The situation has prompted discussions about the need for an independent body or the Office of the Ombudsman to handle similar cases in the future. As questions remain unanswered, the demand for accountability continues to grow, with many insisting that those involved should face the consequences of their actions.
