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Tonga's internal affairs minister fired for alleged misconduct

Xinhua, September 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

Tonga's Minister for Internal Affairs Sosefo Fe'aomoeata Vakata has been fired for alleged misconduct, local newspaper Nuku'alofa Times reported on Friday.

Vakata lost his cabinet seat on Sept. 13 following a recommendation made by Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva to King Tupou VI, the Prime Minister's Office has confirmed.

King Tupou VI has accepted Pohiva's recommendation for Vakata's sacking pursuant to the constitution, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

The prime minister's call for Vakata to resign was based on a letter of complaint lodged with the Prime Minister's Office by Acting Deputy Director of the Women's Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Tupou'ahau Fakakovikaetau, who had alleged that Vakata swore at her and threw a wine glass at her face and wounded her upper lip in late July.

Fakakovikaetau was treated at a hospital, and a doctor's report was attached to her letter of complaint, according to the Nuku'alofa Times.

Vakata was reported to be angry with the senior staff after she had sent a junior staff to an agriculture show without his approval. Endit