A police officer attached to Banz Police Station in Jiwaka Province is alleged to have received bribes while handling major Sorcery Accusation and Related Violence (SARV) cases, disrupting proceedings and attempting to prevent cases from reaching National Court trials.
According to PNG Tribal Foundation, three of its longest-running SARV cases in Jiwaka have been disturbed or nearly scrapped from advancing to trial due to the officer’s actions. The officer, attached to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), has been accused of misconduct and bribery.
Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Laimo Asi confirmed yesterday that he has directed his Officer-in-Charge CID to prepare a report and investigate the complaint raised by PNG Tribal Foundation.
The policeman allegedly received K3000 from the mother of a perpetrator in a SARV case dating back seven years in Golo Dop village. The case, which left 10 victims under Tribal Foundation’s care, was nearly withdrawn after the officer wrote to the National Court, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The State prosecutor has since advised that the case will proceed to trial on October 17 after eyewitnesses were interviewed.
In another case from Kombulno village, North Waghi, in July 2023, the same officer allegedly received K1900 from the suspect’s relatives, wrote a withdrawal letter to the court, and secured the release of 11 suspects from police cells on November 13, 2023.
A further SARV case in Kamal village, following the brutal killing of a six-year-old child on March 6, 2024, was also mishandled. The officer allegedly misplaced reports presented to court. Another CID officer eventually took over, preventing the case from being dismissed.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Internal Investigation Unit (IIU), Emil Alpha, has been made aware of the matter and is expected to further investigate the allegations.
PNG Tribal Foundation president GT Bustin expressed grave concern over the officer’s conduct. “We cannot allow a corrupt police officer to benefit personally off the suffering and death of these victims.
“We know this officer well and we are fully expecting the police and justice systems to deal with him swiftly and with the full force of the law,” Mr Bustin said.
Jiwaka OIC CID Detective James Kami confirmed the allegations, noting that the officer had previously been suspended over other misconduct claims.
Police in Banz have since assured a full investigation into the matter. The officer, originally from East Sepik, has been serving at Banz Police Station. Meanwhile, Tribal Foundation continues to support SARV victims and witnesses in attending court proceedings across the Highlands. In September, the organization assisted more than 10 eyewitnesses and police officers with logistics to attend National Court hearings.
In Kundiawa District, two perpetrators of a SARV case were recently convicted and sentenced to eight years each in Bawaragi Prison, Simbu Province. Chuave CID officers credited Tribal Foundation’s support for the successful conviction.
Tribal Foundation confirmed that more than five SARV cases are listed for trial this month, with hearings to continue throughout the remaining months of the year.