New lead to murder case

 By ZACHERY PER 
A body guard of former Defence Minister Peter Waieng who was caught at the grave of a deceased leader in Chimbu will be handed over to police investigators in Port Moresby.
Assistant Police Commissioner Highlands Region Eastern Zone commander Nema Mondia yesterday said Benedict Wangai was caught crying and discharging a firearm at the graveyard on Monday night at Bonguglingu village.
Mondia said Wangai was dressed in police uniform and armed with a firearm.
He was providing security escort for employees of Digicel PNG checking on their telecommunication towers in Chimbu.
Mondia said when the party were passing Bonguglingu, Wangai went over to the grave of Waieng and wailed and discharged firearm.
“The shot alerted villagers who apprehended and questioned him.  He revealed names of some prominent figures (responsible for Waieng’s death).
“Police then took him to Kundiawa police station the next morning and further questioned him,” Mondia said.
He said Wangai was taken to task over the use of a police uniform and the firearm but it was later discovered that the firearm was licensed to Digicel PNG.
The issue of the illegal use of police uniform was to be deliberated by police before they charge Wangai.
Mondia said investigation into the murder of Waieng were conducted in Port Moresby.
Wangai would be handed over to the team at police headquarters for further investigation into the case.
Waieng, who was a former Member for Kundiawa-Gembogl, was allegedly murdered on Aug 22, 2013, at his office at L&A Constructions company base at 6 Mile in Port Moresby before his body was driven out to Roku village and abandoned at Roku hilltop outside Port Moresby, according to earlier reports.
Acting Chimbu provincial police commander Jimmy Onopia advised Waieng’s Narku tribe to defer a planned peaceful protest following the revelation of names of prominent figures by Wangai.