Twenty men from the villages of Samata and Fagafau were charged by the police following a gunfight between the villagers two weeks ago that led to the death of a man.

Those charged include nine men from Samata, three of which are matai and 11 from Fagafau. 

The Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logitino Filipo said the men are facing multiple charges for allegedly throwing stones, threatening words, and assault connected to the conflict between the villages. 

 He said the men were released on bail pending their appearance before the District Court on 23 July. 

“The investigation is still ongoing but that is the latest update from the police in Savaii,” said Auapaau. 

“The charges are all connected to the incident that led to the death of a man and throwing of stones at one of the buses on the Friday before the gunfight on Sunday.” 

A 50-year-old man from Fagafau was the first to be charged with the murder of the Samata man two weeks ago. 

He is being kept in custody until his appearance in the Supreme Court on 8 July. 

Police reported the conflict between the villages is suspected to have stemmed from a Land and Titles Court decision concerning land in the area. 

Villagers from Samata and Fagafau alleged the disagreement amongst village men started on Friday with a man being beaten and stones thrown at one of the village buses and escalated over the weekend.