A special police team has been deployed to solely focus on capturing notorious prisoner Lautiti Tualima who fled the high-security Tanumalala prison over a month ago. 

The $5000 cash reward for information to anyone that has information on the whereabouts of the rapist attracted few leads that police were unable to substantiate.  

Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga said the special police team are still searching for Tualima and continues to verify each lead provided by members of the public. 

He encouraged the public to assist in providing any information they may have on the whereabouts of the escapee and the cash reward offer still stands. 

“There weren’t that many leads and none of it was close to any clear indication of where he is,” he added. 

According to Leiataua, they had sought the assistance of the village of Satapuala where Tualima is from but the village councils' search was unsuccessful. 

The Ministry of Police assured that they were not resting until they captured Tualima and put him behind bars for the safety of the public.  

Tualima has a criminal record that spans multiple serious offences, including burglary, theft, robbery, breaking and entering, rape, grievous bodily harm, and, notably, previous escapes from prison. 

Currently, Tualima is serving a sentence of more than 20 years after admitting to the rape of an Australian tourist. 

His sentencing in 2016 was handed down by Judge Justice Lesatele Rapi Va'ai, who imposed an additional 18 years to a previous 20-year sentence for other crimes.

After serving the initial 20 years for prior convictions, Tualima would have been required to serve an additional 18 years for the most recent charges. The severity of his crimes and the length of his sentences reflect the danger he poses to the public.

Authorities have also issued a stern warning regarding the legal implications of harbouring an escaped convict.