Stone fight leaves residents in fear

By Deidre Fanene 27 July 2016, 12:00AM

Residents and business owners in the Togafuafua area on the outskirts of the Apia Township are fearful. 

After the latest fight between the youths of Togafu’afu’a and Tufuiopa, which damaged some properties, some residents say it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

A resident who identified himself as Chris said last Friday’s fight which involved the throwing of rocks and other items was frightening. 

It started at 11pm and lasted well into the next morning.

 “I was watching TV that time and then I heard noises coming from the road,” he said. “When I looked out the window, I saw youths throwing stones at each other.

“It was frightening. It’s just me and my grandparents at our home so none of us dared to go outside at that time because I could see that things were really getting out of hand.”

Chris said he was scared for his life and so were many residents in the area.

“Our neighbours were scared and we were scared. It’s not the first time these things have happened. The fight really got out of hand and I saw police vehicles arrived quickly.”

Businesses in the area were affected. One of them is Island Rock Company Limited.

Owner, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, said his shop was spared only because of iron bars surrounding the louvres.

 “We came the next morning and we saw that one of the doors of the shop was cracked but luckily it was just a small crack,” he said.

“However, one of the company vehicles parked next door was damaged. The window was smashed and it was from the night before.

“These sort of things is very bad and whoever these kids are should be put in jail because they have put the lives of the people living around this area at risk.” 

Another resident who lives in the area spoke up on the condition of anonymity because he said he is scared of the youth.

“There is always tension between the young ones from Tufuiopa and Togafu’afu’a,” he said.

“We are not safe here because every time a brawl between these two villages occurs, it gets out of hand and even the Police cannot control it.

“The police were contacted on the night of the incident but they showed up late, and I don’t blame them because they (police) cannot do anything when a fight occurs. They will probably get hurt from it as well.”

Police Spokesperson, Maotaoalii Kaioneta Kitiona, confirmed last week’s brawl. “At the moment, I cannot be sure what started the brawl between the youths of the two villages,” he said.

“You will have to wait until the official police report comes in.”

By Deidre Fanene 27 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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