Tonga Cabinet Ministers deny reports of sackings, reshuffle Featured
Interim Minister of Land, Lord Ma'afu
3 September, 2017. Two government MPs in Tonga says if reports of a cabinet reshuffle are true, then they haven't heard anything.
Caretaker Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva has reportedly fired his deputy prime minister Siaosi Sovaleni and finance minister Tevita Lavemaau.
Kaniva News reports a cabinet spokesperson confirming the move, saying Mr Pohiva was disappointed in the ministers.
It reports that Lord Ma'afu has been appointed as the new deputy, while Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa is the new finance minister.
However, both Lord Ma'afu and Mr Tu'ionetoa have told RNZ International they have heard nothing of a reshuffle.
Lord Ma'afu says if it is true, he's not sure use it would be after the King's decision last week to dissolve parliament and call snap elections.
-RNZI
