Murder charge laid over NZ policeman's death in Tonga

Published: 3:24PM Monday August 27, 2012 Source: ONE News

Kali Fungavaka at his grandfather's funeral. - Source: Supplied
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A man has been charged with the homicide of a New Zealand policeman who died while in police custody in Tonga, local media report.

Constable Kali Fungavaka, 38, died on Thursday six days after he was allegedly assaulted in a police cell in Nuku'alofa.

Semisi Kalisitiane Manu appeared in the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court today charged with the homicide of Fungavaka, Matangi Tonga reported. Manu had initially been charged with grievous bodily harm.

Tongan policemen Salesi Maile and Fatai Faletau also appeared in court on charges of grievous bodily harm in relation with the death.

In front of a packed court, Judge Pita Soakimi queried why the two policeman had not been charged with homicide when Manu, a civilian, was charged with the new count of homicide.

Police Prosecutor Mema Latu said an investigation was still being carried out, and further examination on the victim's body would be carried out in New Zealand.

Latu said the two policemen assaulted the victim before he was put into the cell that night, Matangi Tonga reported.

Fungavaka, who was awarded a New Zealand Bravery Medal, had been in Tonga for his grandfather's funeral.

He was a pallbearer, but later that night was arrested at a club in Nuku'alofa for what police said was a minor "drunkenness offence".

It was there that the 38-year-old suffered major head injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by two police officers and then by another man in the police cells.

The three men were remanded in custody and will reappear in court on September 24.