By Renate Rivers

Supreme Court room two was a hive of emotional activity today as the petition case against current Member of Parliament for Satupaitea – Tavui Tiafau Tafu Salevao – was presented before Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai and Justice Vui Clarence Nelson.  The petition was lodged by unsuccessful candidate Asiata Wairaki Toevai.

Several witnesses for the respondent Tavui were called to the stand, with the testimony of twin sisters Katerina and Iorina Grey causing the most commotion. 

They both submitted sworn affidavits claiming the petitioner Asiata had given them money on several occasions; but that specifically on 24^th of February 2011 at their village of Satufia, he gave them $10 and instructed them to give the money to their father – Tavui Seilasa Grey – and asked for him to remember his vote. 

Legal counsel for Asiata, Ms Tima Leavai cross examined the two sisters and inconsistencies in their testimony were found.  Iorina claimed to have been given money by Asiata a total of 16 different times, whilst Katerina testified that it was only 4 times.  The nail in the coffin came when Tima advised the court that her client was not in Satupaitea at the time, as he was in Apia on the 24^th of February – and was in fact present at the courthouse for another matter.  It had earlier been established that Tavui’s lawyer, Mr Shane Wulf, was aware that Asiata had been on Upolu on the day.

Justice Vaai and Justice Nelson admonished the two sisters, and then directed their disappointment towards Tavui’s lawyer Mr Shane Wulf.

“What these two girls have done is tantamount to perjury, and if a decision is made to pursue these charges, then your part in this must also be considered Mr Wulf,�? said Justice Nelson.

“Why should you yourself be spared from perjury charges, if you were aware that Asiata was not in Savaii on the 24^th but he was actually here on Upolu…and yet you allowed this false testimony to come through and be submitted as sworn affidavits?�?

 Mr Wulf was unable to clarify the situation, but advised the adjudicating duo that he had submitted the affidavits before other information had come to light.

The father of the twin sisters, Tavui Seilasa, was also called to stand and corroborated the testimony regarding the gifts of money from Asiata that had come through his daughters.

However he too gave conflicting information.  He testified that he was given money on four different occasions.  The amount of money given on the 24^th February was also different – $20 instead of the $10 as per his daughters.  He was adamant that he remembered everything very clearly and was not giving false testimony as his daughters had been found to have done.  When Justice Vaai queried his memory of other days, Tavui Seilasa said he did not remember any other days of that month but he was most likely working at his plantation.  When asked what he was doing on the 13^th and the 27^th of February, Tavui asserted that he was at the plantation. 

“What church do you attend Tavui?�? asked Justice Vaai.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,�? he replied.

“So you went and worked on your plantation on those days?�? asked Justice Vaai. 

“Yes, I did,�? Tavui said.

“So you didn’t go to church on both the 13^th and the 27^th then?  Because those two dates are Sundays,�? said Justice Vaai.

The witness could not answer, and was immediately reprimanded as a liar by Lesatele.

A disapproving judging panel and divided public gallery meant the atmosphere in the courtroom became unsettled and the tension levels had increased to such a point that one of the police officers in attendance spoke to the crowd and asked for patience and civility while the hearings were underway.

Witnesses for the petitioner are expected to be called in resumption of proceedings tomorrow.

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