SUPPORTERS and sympathisers of jailed Komo Margarima MP Francis Potape are in mourning and camping along the Ambua to Tari section of the Highlands Highway in Hela Province.
The people with faces rubbed in mud as an indication of mourning the death of beloved ones built makeshift canvas houses as a mourning place (haus krai) from Tigibi village at the foothills of the world-class Ambua Lodge and along the highway at Halabi district office and Wabia market in the Hulia district.
They erected huge placards on the roadside indicating their undivided support to Potape after last Friday’s Supreme Court decision in Waigani that rejected Potape’s bail application.
When this reporter visited Tigibi yesterday afternoon, more than 300 people with muddied bodies and placards gathered at the main market place with a makeshift –haus krai.
Spokesmen Gibson Muli, Michael Meria and James Hapolo said the people were in sorrow following the Supreme Court’s decision to reject Potape’s bail application last Friday but had not given up hope as yet.
Alabai elementary school teacher in charge John Hamule said his 176 school children also decided to join their parents from Tigibi 1 and 2, Kujeli and Tija Nawe council wards in mourning for their MP.
Mr Muli said the people thought their MP would get a successful bail application similar to Gulf Governor Havila Kavo but when that did not eventuate, they were saddened and went into mourning.
A huge placard erected near the highway at Tigibi read, “Where are wheels of justice for people who stole millions of kina?.
“Potape got a lousy K60 000-why are harsh penalty?
“Hon Potape is a victim of selective and unfair justice.
“You jail Potape, we suffer, not him.
“Hon Potape is not a criminal. He is our hope and future,”.
Mr Muli said the Komo Margarima and Hela people would also gather this Friday in Tari town to contribute money in a public rally to assist Potape with his legal fees to continue the fight at the Supreme Court.
He said plans are afoot to bring all Hela leaders and people together from Komo Margarima, Tari Pori and Koroba Lake Kopiago districts this Friday in Tari where selected representatives would make speeches while people publicly donate towards Potape’s legal fees.
“We have contributed and repaid the K30, 000 as restitution for the money allegedly stolen by Potape and his joint district budget priority and planning committee members.
“Hela will now come in numbers this Friday to contribute to Potape’s cause,” Mr Muli said.
The National Court sentenced Potape to two and half years in jail last month in Port Moresby after finding him guilty of stealing K60,000 while his other JDBP&PC members got K30, 000 totaling to K300, 000. Mr Potape is currently in Bomana Prison outside Port Moresby while his legal team is fighting his conviction and bail application in the higher court.
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