THE case involving the mining row in Isabel Province that saw the destruction and damage of family properties in Jejevo village will undergo a new trial.
The five defendants Jimmy Taea, Tony Godwin, Hamilton Puza, Joseph Sago and Steward Gift are facing one count of going armed in public, 13 counts of wilful and unlawful damage and three counts of simple larceny.
Trial on their matter started in 2021 but was halted after the prosecution called two of their six witnesses.
This was due to the eruption of the riot in Honiara on 24 November 2021 that lasted three days and the ensuing curfews and lock downs in the national capital.
The matter was then listed again for trial last year but the prosecutor in carriage of this matter went on a study leave.
The magistrate who heard the trial also went on study leave overseas.
Therefore, new trial dates will be fixed before Principal Magistrate Elma Veenah Rizzu Hilly.
She will fix the dates for trial after she hears the pre-trial conference on March 3.
Police Prosecutor Elson Konle had taken over the file from his colleague Watson Akwai.
Police charged the defendants in relation to an allegation that occurred on 8 March 2021 between 2pm and 3pm in Jejevo Village.
It was alleged that the Jejevo community and a security firm providing security services for the Sunshine Mining Company Limited had resolved through dialogue for the company to halt its operation whilst they await a court decision on their dispute on 12 April 2021.
The prosecution alleged that the request was respected at first but a week later, it was alleged that the mining company operated again and reigniting their dispute.
The Jejevo community allegedly got hold of three drums of petrol belonging to the mining company believing that this would make the company halt its operation.
However, it was alleged that on 8 March this year, about 20 men which included the five accused left Furona for Jejevo armed with weapons such as knives, spear guns, spears and axes.
They allegedly went and destroyed a number of properties belonging to 13 families in Jejevo village.
They also allegedly stole properties of three people.
The total value of properties destroyed was $350,000, whilst the total value of the stolen items was more than $67,000.
Private lawyer Lappy Hite and lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office are representing the defendants.
BY ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
