Inspector Unaisi Mateiwai has raised concerns over children being charged with stealing lunches in schools. Speaking at a recent Christian rally, Mateiwai highlighted the troubling rise in both serious and petty crimes involving children.
Inspector Mateiwai emphasized that strong family units and religious influences could prevent such offenses. “A lot of children are being charged for stealing lunches,” she said. “The right of the child is to go to school, our responsibility is to take the child to school. When they go to school, they have to take everything to school. They should be happy to be in school.”
Additionally, Mateiwai expressed concerns about the attitudes of some young offenders. She cited an incident involving three youths who allegedly stole and killed a pig. In court, the youths displayed an alarming sense of entitlement and defiance. The first youth claimed his status as the son of a clan leader gave him rights over the pig and the land. The second youth supported the first, asserting his own local roots. The third youth claimed maternal ties to the area.
The father of the first accused was also charged, highlighting the responsibility of traditional leaders to educate their children. “That day the punishment was given to the tui, the head of the clan, because he did not educate them. If you are a traditional leader, then you have to be a leader,” Mateiwai stated.
The increasing incidence of youthful criminal behavior and their concerning attitudes remain pressing issues for the community.