PNG Government to probe into mysterious deaths of CS officers

RECENT heated speculations surroundings the deaths of two high ranking Correctional Service men have sparked a government lead probe. The National Executive Council will investigate the recent deaths of Correctional Service Commissioner Martin Balthazar and his deputy David Melange, both of whom mysteriously died two days apart; Melange on the 16th and Balthazar two days later. Correctional Service Minister Jim Simatab said the Cabinet has allocated K750,000 for the investigation and that the investigation is aimed at bringing closure to dangerous speculations that have been going around. “NEC has strongly recommended that investigations be thoroughly carried out into the manner in which the two died because the deaths occurred two days apart,” Simatab said. “Through the assistance of Minister for Works Francis Awesa, two detectives have been sent to begin investigations into the deaths of the two officers,” Simatab said. The autopsy and other tests have already been done and both men’s autopsies have pointed to natural causes of death, however, societal beliefs and witchcraft notion related rumors have since been running rife. The investigation will begin at the hotel in Goroka where the two were staying. “In particular Deputy Commissioner Melange who just collapsed in his room and died before reaching the hospital will be scrutinized carefully,” Simatab said. “We really need to go down there and find out what really happened in the hotel because there are some speculations of how they died. We want to ensure that those speculations do not affect their relatives. “We don’t want the families and relatives to think that there was some foul play. That is why the Government will have to conduct the investigati

on,” Simatab said. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has appointed Michael Waipo as acting Correctional Services Commissioner to replace the late Martin Balthazar. Waipo’s acting appointment is for only three months. Correction Services Minister Jim Simatab said Waipo’s immediate task is to facilitate the repatriation of the two bodies to their provinces. Simatab said Waipo held several senior positions in the CS headquarters in the past 14 years and was no rookie in the CS related field work.

PNG Today/ Post Courier