By ORCHY REX
GOVERNOR for Eastern Highlands Hon. Simon Sia has confirmed that the Highlands Highway is now open and free for travelers. There will be no more roadblocks following assurances from leaders and grieving relatives of the late police officer as of, Tuesday 04 March, 2025.
He assured the traveling public that normalcy has been restored, and travelers along the
Highlands Highway can now move about freely without fear of being attacked.
“I want to let the leaders of Southern Highlands and everybody know that my colleague
governor and I will try to put this issue to rest in the next couple of days. For now, the road is free for all Highlands Highway users,” Governor Sia said.
Member for Goroka Hon. Aiye Tambua also apologized for the inconveniences caused by
the road blocks. He assured the public that Goroka is now safe for travel and business and
called on people not to be misled by false information circulating on social media.
Minister for Police Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr praised the people of Eastern Highlands earlier
today in a press conference for handling the situation with maturity and allowing the law to
take its course.
“The family of the late officer felt it appropriate not to take the law into their own hands.
They have worked through their leaders Hon. Aiye Tambua and Governor Hon. Simon Sia, to ensure peace in Eastern Highlands,” Minister Tsiamalili said.
Hon. Tambua on behalf of the grieving family presented a petition to the Southern
Highlands Provincial government and the National Government, calling for justice for the
late officer.
Hon. Aiye Tambua outlined three key issues in the petition. First one is a demand for a neutral team of investigators from outside of Mendi to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of the police officer.
“We want neutral investigators from outside of Mendi to go in and investigate how this
police officer died”, said Tambua.
They commended the leaders who handed over the suspects to Police but insisted on an
independent investigation to establish the true cause and identity of the perpetrators.
The second one is a call for the Police Department to give proper attention and treatment to officers injured during the course of duty. They are concerned over the lack of proper medical attention given to the late officer, emphasizing that police officers injured in the
line of duty must receive priority healthcare.
“We feel that the welfare of the policeman was not properly addressed. When a serving
member is injured in the line of duty, we feel that they must be given priority especially in
terms of healthcare attention when they are airlifted or in the hospital. Our policeman late
Harry was not given the appropriate medical attention he deserved,” he said.
Finally, Hon. Tambua made it clear that they are not seeking compensation but only want
justice to be served before laying him to rest.
“We the people of Goroka do not want compensation or asking for compensation. All we
want is a full investigation to be conducted into the incident involving the death of late
Harry and those responsible must be apprehended and reprimanded. Only then we will be
satisfied that justice has been served.
Southern Highlands Governor Hon. William Powi condemned the killing in the strongest
terms and assured the family that justice would be served.
“Three suspects and the firearms that were used are already in police custody, but further
investigations must be carried out to establish the true cause and identity of the actual
perpetrators,” he said.
He also called on all Provincial Police Commanders (PPCs) from the Highlands region to
work together to ensure a peaceful resolution is achievable.
Mendi Munhiu MP Hon. Raphael Tonpi shared similar sentiments and assured the family
that those responsible would be held accountable for the crime they have committed.
