By Warren Gamble
A hit-man twice went to the home of a Samoan cabinet minister intending to kill him, but could not carry out the deed, the New Zealand Herald has been told.
The contract killer is now believed to be the star witness in the case against two Samoan MPs and
one of their sons charged with the murder of Public Works Minister Luagalau Levaula Kamu, who was shot at a political function on July 17.
Sources close to the case said the witness had originally agreed to kill Luagalau Levaula but could not go through with it.
They said his statements had led to the arrest of the parliamentarians.
Yesterday, Leafa Vitale, who was sacked from the Women's Affairs portfolio, appeared in the Supreme Court at Apia, and was remanded in custody until next Friday. Late last year, Luagalau Levaula replaced Vitale in the Public Works portfolio.
His 34-year-old eldest son, Eletise Leafa Vitale, was charged with murder last week, and on Thursday, MP and former minister Toi Aukuso was charged with murder and inciting to commit murder.
Samoan Police Commissioner Asi Blacklock said it was possible other charges would be laid against the elder Vitale.
Mr Blacklock said he expected a breakthrough today in the search for the murder weapon, believed to be a .223 rifle.
In another development yesterday, sources said Luagalau Levaula had angry exchanges with cabinet ministers at a meeting a fortnight before his death over corruption allegations he had made in Parliament.
After that meeting he made a televised statement sacking a number of officials in the Public Works Department.
After the resignation of long-serving Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana last November, Luagalau Levaula replaced Leafa Vitale in the Public Works portfolio as part of a cabinet shake-up by new leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
Luagalau Levaula was widely seen as being charged with cleaning up corruption in public works.
Leafa Vitale and Aukuso, a former Minister of the Post Office and Telecommunications, are seen as members of the old guard that flourished under Tofilau Eti.
The two MPs were accused, in an Audit Office report several years ago, of using public works machinery and staff for their own benefit.
By Warren Gamble
A hit-man twice went to the home of a Samoan cabinet minister intending to kill him, but could not carry out the deed, the New Zealand Herald has been told.
The contract killer is now believed to be the star witness in the case against two Samoan MPs and
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