Public outcry over recent murders sparks push for Vagrancy Act

Following the recent killing of the female who was raped and mutilated, there has been a public outcry about the long overdue Vagrancy Act.

The call to remove unemployed people and settlers back to their respective provinces has been a continuous debate among the public, hoping to reduce some of the crime activities in Port Moresby.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop was asked to provide an update on the Vagrancy Act and its implementation process.

“That Act has been before parliament since the beginning of last year. So, it's held up by parliament and especially the private business committee. I will be writing to the speaker, who is the chairman of the committee, to ensure that it is cleared and then goes to parliament so that parliament can pass it. So we have another tool available to us,” Parkop said.

According to the Office of the Clerk of Parliament, they received the Vagrancy Act last year, however, the Speaker's office and the Parliamentary Committees were occupied with the Vote of No Confidence at the time the Act was submitted.

The Office of the Clerk says the Vagrancy Act will be one of the first agendas when parliament resumes in March.

Meantime, Police investigations have begun into the Baruni killing, with two suspects brought in for questioning, at the weekend.

N-C-D/Central Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Benjamin Turi, is urging eye witnesses to come forward and for landowners of the nearby areas to see him immediately.

He's called for the eviction of settlers around the Baruni area, where the Watermark estate is located.

Mr. Turi says, police are adamant that those involved in this barbaric killing, will be brought to justice.

A laptop, two mobile phones, and a thousand kina in cash were also stolen, during the Saturday incident.