The mother of a deceased teen, a victim of a hit-and-run incident in April 2021, said their family's only wish is for peace after his case was discussed by the Cabinet last Friday.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Monday, Rosie Maletino said they have already forgiven whoever did her family wrong through the killing of her son and all they want now is peace.

When asked about the Cabinet discussing her son's death last Friday, she said they had no say in whatever the Cabinet did, but her only hope as the late teen's mother is for everyone investigating the case to have pure intentions.

"As I said before, we are tired of people politicising our poor son's death and we want to move on from a long time ago and start a new with only good memories of our son but these two political sides are getting in the way of our peace," she said while trying to fight back tears.

"We appreciate the Cabinet stepping in and although we already forgave whoever did this to our son, we also do hope these investigations can find the real culprit."

Mrs. Maletino also revealed that Samuelu Leau – whose recent statements on Bluwave TV went viral after he said he was an eyewitness to the case – visited the family's home in June this year.

"Sam actually came to our house in June this year to apologise for not admitting earlier when we were seeking answers to the death of our son," she said. "My husband did not take it lightly and luckily I was there and we forgave him.

"But we were surprised when his video went viral and everything he said to us is the same as what he said in that video, he has been trying to seek assistance from the police to investigate his testimony but police failed to do so."

Last Friday night the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Customs and Revenue, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio released a statement on the April 2021 incident at Vaitele-fou, saying that the Cabinet held a special meeting to discuss the issue while also advising the current Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster had declared a "conflict of interest" and will not be directly involved with the case.  

Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the Acting Prime Minister said he met with the Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo so he could get an update on the case. He said the Cabinet understands that the matter is sensitive and people are still waiting for an update.

Tuala said the case and the reports surrounding it have laid bare the integrity of the various Government Ministries and it is only proper that the Cabinet addresses the issue. He noted that the accident was a tragedy that claimed the life of a young boy and over two years later there has been no solid evidence or closure for the family who lost their loved one. Tuala, speaking on behalf of the Samoa Government of Samoa, then expressed their heartfelt condolences to the grieving family. 

Speaking about his meeting with Auapa'au before meeting with the Cabinet on Friday, Tuala confirmed that he was informed that the Police investigation into the matter is still ongoing with Samoa's Police unable to make any breakthroughs in their investigations to date.

Tuala said the Government has decided that there should be no more delays in getting to the bottom of the case and the Cabinet has sought legal advice from the Attorney General's office to come up with a recommendation to the Cabinet on a way to resolve the issue. 

The Cabinet has also asked for an urgent assessment of the evidence and statements that the Police have on the matter and to report back to the Cabinet. They have also asked to consider setting up a Special Unit made up of law enforcement officers from New Zealand to focus on the case so that it will not interfere with the day-to-day work of the ministry.