In Samoa the village council of Vaimoso has punished twenty two young gang members for offences such as stone throwing, assault, and theft.
One of the village matais and former MP, Aulavemai Tafito Selesele, said none of the youth from his village committed a crime, but had apologised for their behaviour.
The told a special village meeting on Monday that they were members of the Original Blood Outlaw gang or the O.B.O.
Samoa village matai Aulavemai Tafito Selesele Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Aulavemai said as part of their punishment the gang members cleaned and repainted a building they'd painted with graffiti.
They had also been cutting the grass and carry out some other works ordered by the matais.
Aulavemai said the use of social media by the young men was not to blame for the violence and other offences.
He said parents need to be well equipped to discipline their children while the village councils have to play their part in the upbringing of all village youth.
