DEAR EDITOR,
Just recently last week I went to the Honiara Central Market. I was on my way to catch a bus at Naha Kola bustop when I heard someone screaming. At that time, I was on the scene and saw a young lady, so I asked the lady what had happened to her. She told me a thief had stolen her wallet with her money, phone and other necessities. She was desperate to retrieve her phone. I asked her why she was so worried about the phone rather than the wallet and the money. She replied ‘the phone contains all her school assignments and other important documents’; thus, she was a student of the University of the South Pacific (USP). She doesn’t have a laptop to do her school work but she relies on her phone.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper. I’d like to raise concerns regarding pick pocketing (beliga) in Honiara (hotspot areas Lunga, Kukum, Bahai, Namba 3, Honiara Central Market, and White River). This issue has become common in Honiara. Most often, women, girls and old people are vulnerable to the extent that they are physically assaulted. As a result, they can’t defeat the rogues or Beligas as known to Solomon islanders in the muscle battle, who usually come to pillage them.
Any pushback from the victims can be dangerous to them. Many incidences of theft, snatching, and horrific attacks on these individuals have already occurred in the Honiara Area.
It is the government’s responsibility to safeguard the lives of the citizens and implement new strategies as to whether to create jobs for these perpetrators or send them to their home islands to avoid such issues in Honiara. The Honiara City Council should enforce security in these hotspot areas to safeguard the citizens. Church leaders to strengthen the religious faith in our homes, restore families in order and support young people. As a result, all safety measures should be taken to save these individuals. Despite numerous inquiries by the appropriate authorities, no progress has been made. Perhaps the phrases in your illustrious publication will awaken the authorities from their slumber.
Thank you.
Yours Truly,
Jayme Elsina.
