20 May 2002

Samoa MP denies role in car chase and shooting incident

2:20 pm on 20 May 2002

Police in Samoa are investigating claims that a government MP, Taliaoa Pita, was involved in a car chase in which shots were fired at a vehicle.

A planter, Aloi Mapusua, said the MP's brother, Utu Charlie Ulia, had punched his son, when he visited Ulia's son.

The boy says he fled the scene in his vehicle pursued by Ulia and Taliaoa in a vehicle belonging to the Department of Youth, Sports and Culture.

He says when he stopped he abandoned the vehicle and watched as his pursuers kicked the vehicle and fired shots into it.

Taliaoa denied the incident, saying he was asleep when the alleged chase took place.

He also denied that the departmental vehicle had been used in the chase unless it flew there and back while he was sleeping.