Plan to arm with machetes overheard

Press, 8 October 1988, Page 8

Plan to arm with machetes overheard

PA Auckland A week before a Tongan man was hacked to death in the Otara shopping mall, a group of Samoans were overheard planning to arm themselves with machetes, the High Court at Auckland was told yesterday. The Samoans were allegedly organising weapons for an attack on Tongans the next Saturday.

Mr Petelo Faaumu, a Samoan who overheard the discussion at a Tamaki bus stop, told the Court he was aware there had been trouble between Samoans and Tongans.

He heard there had

been a fight between Samoans and Tongans that morning, although he did not see it. Mr Faaumu said that before he heard the talk about machetes he noticed a Samoan man called Sanele who had a wound to his head. He said Sanele appeared to be in pain and had blood flowing down his head. In response to questions put to him by counsel for Leva Fiaavae, Mr Christopher Harder, the witness admitted he did not hear everything the group of Samoans said at the bus stop. However, he was sure he heard members of the group saying each should have a machete

for next Saturday. On that day Mr David Fuko, a Tongan, was killed when allegedly struck on the neck with a machete. Eleven men are facing charges of murdering Mr Fuko at the Otara Town Centre on April 30 and of wounding Amoni Matu with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The accused, who have denied the charges, are on trial before Mr Justice Henry and a jury. In court yesterday Mr Faaumu pointed out six of the accused who were at the bus stop on April 23 and were also at the Otara Town Centre on the day of the killing.