POLICE chief Mostyn Mangau is appealing to the families of both parties involved in a reconciliation ceremony in connection to a murder incident at Marumbo, West Guadalcanal to maintain the peace between them.
Mr Mangau said the reconciliation was agreed by both parties after the incident to reconcile with each other and established an understanding to maintain peace and harmony between them.
“Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Henderson Police Station in Guadalcanal Province have witnessed a reconciliation ceremony at Kakabona on 21 June 2021 in relation to a murder incident occurred at Marumbo,” Mr Mangau said.
He added that the reconciliation was done following a murder incident occurred at Keuna village, Marumbo on 14 June 2020.
“It was alleged that a fight broke out between some drunken men during a fundraising.
“As a result, the defendant grabbed a piece of timber and then strike the deceased on his head and body several times.
“The deceased was referred to the National Referral Hospital from Tangarare clinic, West Guadalcanal and died four days later,” the police chief told reporters at his weekly police conference yesterday.
Mr Mangau said after the incident, both parties have agreed to reconcile with each other, and established an understanding on the way forward to resolve the matter to maintain peace and harmony between themselves.
He said the importance of having the reconciliation was to ensure that peace remains among themselves.
However, he added that although the reconciliation happened, police will continue with their investigation in the murder case and proceed with it in court.
““During the reconciliation ceremony, relatives of the defendant presented some local foods (Chupu) with some cash to the relatives and families of the deceased.
“Relatives of the deceased accepted the reconciliation and presented back to the defendant party some cash with one shell money (Malona) and both parties shake hands.”
He said the ceremony was witnessed by the Hon MP for West Guadalcanal Constituency, Hon MP for Temotu Pele, Guadalcanal Province Deputy Premier, MPA for Sahalu ward, Church leaders, Chiefs and elders from both sides.
The police chief thanked both parties for the reconciliation and the two MPs and RSIPF officers for their participation.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN BONGIDANI
Newsroom, Honiara
