If the great Harry Houdini were alive in this day and age he would marvel at the escape and disappearing act of one Sam Su’a. This elusive man who is at the centre of a controversy has been evading police and authorities for a long time.

What is so heinous that Sam Su’a has done that he deserves so much attention?  In an interview with New Zealand-based media company Bluwave, Sam claimed he is an eyewitness to a hit run incident in 2021 where a 19-year-old was killed. This case remains open until this day.

He claimed his mobile phone device had photos of a Toyota Landcruiser being involved amongst other recordings.

He claimed his mobile phone was handed over to a police officer at the time to assist in their investigation and also alleged the involvement of other high-ranking officers. He accused them of not investigating his evidence which he claimed pointed to a politician being the prime suspect.

That politician is the M.P. for Faleata No. 3 Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi who is now suing two foreign-owned media for defamation over content that it allegedly broadcasted.

Another businesswoman whom Samuelu alleged was with the driver of the Toyota Landcruiser pickup truck is also filing a separate complaint of defamation against the eyewitness.

He also made claims that Samoa Police destroyed evidence he had submitted to them. Furthermore, he claimed that he was given money to assassinate two cabinet ministers but he did not carry out the work.

These are big allegations for which Sam Su’a does not have the evidence to back up, however, his claims attained a viral status on social media. There are many Samoans out there who without citing evidence actually believe what he has said.

He has allegedly maligned a number of people and has made the Samoa Police look incompetent, which is not the case. It went so far that the Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponafasio told the Attorney General to go through the file and perhaps engage overseas police to take over the investigation.

Therefore, there is a need for this man to give himself up to the Police and provide the evidence he claims he has or be proven as a liar.

The police are using all the tactics in their books to look for him and part of this is gathering intelligence by means of undercover operations. The Samoa Police have a point to prove here because their integrity has been questioned.

This is what the people in the district of Salega have experienced.

On Wednesday 13 December, a senior matai of Salega denied allegations that members of the electorate are aiding a wanted man that Police are searching for after claiming he was an eyewitness to a hit and run in 2021.

The article titled ‘District denies aiding wanted man’, Tuisalega Seleni Farani of Salega No.1 said the district is concerned about illegal investigations targeting villagers of Salega.

Tuisalega said the villagers have reported people that claimed to be police were asking questions regarding Sam Su’a and his whereabouts.

The matai said he was concerned that those that questioned the villagers might have been disguised as police but could have possibly been private investigators from the other side.

He said the allegations targeting villagers of Salega are not good and the district stands to protect the Government, parliament and their Member of Parliament.

Police Commissioner, Aupaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed police were carrying out their investigation in search of Sam in the village of Samata.

“It is all part of our investigation,” he said.

How can a man hide from authorities and the prying eyes of people around him in this tiny island nation? This indicates that he does have support from people who may be helping him. The Samoa Observer is not insinuating who these people are but the way things are unfolding, it seems that this man, Sam Su’a does have help.

There are some pundits who say that this is a political ploy targeted at the Opposition but there is no proof of that. The answers to all the allegations and claims can only be proven when Sam Su’a is taken into custody. Apart from these allegations, Police have said that the man is wanted for other crimes.

This man’s claims have created disharmony and in some ways divided people especially those Samoans living abroad. Harbouring a wanted man is also a crime. For the sake of Samoa, Sam Su’a should give himself up or people with information should come forward and allow the police to do their work.

If Sam Su’a’s claims are true, there is no need to hide or will his capture open a can of beans which perhaps some people do not want.