1News Distorts Suliveta Story, Shames Samoa Police
Suliveta Slade During The Toa Samoa Supporter’s Parade.
Photo: Supplied
The Samoa police have been shamed for enforcing the law in a report about “trolley child” Suliveta Slade broadcast by New Zealand’s 1News.
In a report titled: “Poster boy of Samoa’s pride in World Cup league team arrested” 1News says the police “are being forced to explain why” they arrested 17-year-old Suliveta.
“Samoa police are being forced to explain why they arrested a teenager who has become the poster boy of the nation’s pride in its rugby league team at the World Cup. He was out celebrating after Samoa reached the semi-finals for the first time. Pacific reporter Barbara Dreaver has more,” 1News reported on Wednesday.
Ms. Dreaver is the Pacific Correspondent for 1News. The news report obviously sympathises with Suliveta’s situation as do many Samoans.
But it goes on to seemingly pit law enforcement and the judiciary tasked with interpreting the law, against Suliveta and indirectly, the public.
It was “huge public interest” that forced the police to hold a press conference about Suliveta’s case, she said. However the Samoa Police hold a press conference with the Samoa Media every week.
There was a warrant out for the arrest of the teenager after several non-appearances at court, Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga told reporters at a Wednesday press conference.
Suliveta Slade is accused of several crimes and he was in non-compliance with court orders, said the Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua.
Photo: Supplied
The court matters are completely unrelated to the Toa Samoa parade where Suliveta, pushing a shopping trolley with his brother in it, a cousin and their dog Milley racing alongside them were captured on video and in photographs that have gone viral.
The 17-year-old who is being called “the trolley child” appeared in court on Wednesday and is in police custody.
Suliveta is accused of several crimes and he was in non-compliance with court orders, said the Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua.
Police were finally able to apprehend the teenager when he was sighted pushing the trolley in the Saturday parade, he said.
“A warrant of arrest was issued to arrest the boy and take him into custody,” Leiataua explained.
Ms. Dreaver reports that video footage of “Suliveta pushing a trolley with brother Michael going for a ride, cousin Ofa and their dog Milley running alongside” has “captured the spirit of Samoa.”
“The sheer joy of it touching the nation even used on official promotional material,” Dreaver added.
A Samoan woman told 1News the photo of Suliveta “just brought so much joy.”
“But this is how it ended,” 1News reports, “16-year-old Suliveta taken from his home by police for an outstanding warrant and imprisoned. His desperate mum today hoping he’ll be allowed out of jail.”
“Because of huge public interest police held a press conference about the case today saying Suliveta has been in trouble before and was under a curfew. But after Samoa won against Tonga last weekend he couldn’t contain himself.”
Tuala Tagaloa Tusani, a Samoan community leader in Auckland told 1News that police “are focusing on the wrong things that are not right.”
“They are focusing on the things that are not right and here is a kid that is waving his flag, he’s proud to be Samoan,” Tuala told 1News.
Several members of the Samoan Community in Auckland have launched an appeal to collect funds to help Suliveta. Among those people are Tuala and Teleiai Edwin Puni.
On Wednesday, they sent $500 Samoan Tala to Suliveta’s family via Western Union. The Samoans in Auckland have expanded their appeal for Suliveta to all needy and struggling families.
“This group of Auckland community leaders moved by Suliveta’s circumstances today sent $500 Samoan Tala for the family so they can fill up a supermarket trolley of their own and they have launched an appeal to help other families,” Ms. Dreaver reports.
Teleiai told 1News “if donations keep coming” they plan to “fill up more trolleys to help those needy and struggling families in Samoa and it could be a great gift for Christmas.”
Teleiai urges Samoans who intend to hit the streets and celebrate the team this weekend to stay safe.
“To see the spirit of hope and joy in celebrating the Toa Samoa game brought the best and the worst out of people and that’s what we are worried about is that you need to be responsible and be safe,” he said.
Ms. Dreaver said for the teenager’s mother Salome Suliveta, “being able to see and hug her son is the best gift of all even if it’s just for a brief moment.”
Footage of Mrs. Suliveta shows her at the courthouse hugging her son on Wednesday.
Ms. Dreaver says the teen’s “infectious joy for his team now a solemn walk back to jail until his case is heard.”
Meanwhile, the Samoa Outreach Community Centre (S.O.C.C.) has joined with the V8 Car Club and Fresh Off the Va’a to host another parade this weekend ahead of the Toa Samoa versus England match.
Annie Mana Smith, 38, event organiser with S.O.C.C. told EyeSpy Radio they have applied for a permit to host the parade on Saturday.
“We have submitted our request for a permit and we are waiting for approval of our permit from the police then we will be sure about the parade,” said Ms. Smith.
“The police, they are carrying out their duties...we want to have a parade to show our support but there are laws in place so we have to follow the law. I want to thank the police for their work on Saturday. It was raining but they still did their jobs.”
On social media, some members of Samoa’s legal fraternity remind the unlearned that Suliveta is innocent until proven guilty.