The Waigani National Court has finally handed down a ruling finding Boship Kaiwi guilty of causing the death of his wife Jenelyn Kennedy three years ago.

Despite persistent denials by Kaiwi that he had caused the death of Kennedy, he admitted to the court during the trial that he had elbowed and punched Kennedy around 18 June 2020.

Kaiwi’s defence lawyer had also argued that there was no direct evidence by the state to prove that Kaiwi had caused the death of Kennedy.

However, acting judge Justice Laura Wawun-Kuvi, when handing down the verdict on Thursday, ruled that the court was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Kaiwi had caused the death of Kennedy.

Justice Wawun-Kuvi was satisfied with the witness statements that Kaiwi actually had an abusive relationship with Kennedy and he did cause the injuries that led to the death of Kennedy.

“I’m satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant (Kaiwi) had caused the death of Kennedy,” Justice Wawun-Kuvi said in her ruling.

The judge therefore found Kaiwi guilty.

A decision on sentence will follow in the coming weeks once the pre-sentence report and other documents are presented to court recommending the type of penalty to be imposed on Kaiwi.

Kaiwi was accused of torturing and assaulting his 19-year-old wife Jenelyn Kennedy between June 18 and 23, 2020, leading to her death.

Her case became a major issue and sparked public outrage and demands for tougher action over domestic violence in Papua New Guinea.

Republished with permission.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

A Papua New Guinea court has given police three more weeks to submit their evidence against Bosip Kaiwi, who is accused of the murder of his partner in a high-profile case that shocked the nation – or their defence lawyer will be allowed to apply that it be dismissed.

Kaiwi, 25, of Minj, South Waghi, Jiwaka, appeared in court for the third time yesterday since his arrest on June 25.

He is charged with the wilful murder of his partner, Jenelyn Kennedy, the mother of their two children, on June 23 in Port Moresby.

READ MORE: PNG health survey finds that 56% of women suffer violence at age 15

Magistrate Tracy Ganaii yesterday told police prosecutor Chief Sergeant Polon Koniu at the Committal Court in Waigani that the three months normally given to police to complete investigations would end on September 30.

She therefore adjourned the case to October 1.

Koniu submitted in a court a letter from investigating officer Detective Senior Constable Yaku Gwampom seeking another adjournment.

Covid-19 delays
Gwampom explained in the letter that the investigation was taking a long time because of the covid-19 social distancing restrictions and that he needed more time to:

• Get a doctor’s affidavit and interview one more doctor;
• Get photos and statements from the forensic crime scene examiner;
• Complete editing of statements;
• Get statements from other witnesses; and
• Get CCTV footage from the Port Moresby General Hospital.

Kaiwi’s lawyer, Samuel Inisi, of Inisi Lawyers did not object to the adjournment but indicated that he would submit “appropriate applications” on October 1 if police files were still not ready then.

Magistrate Ganaii said she allowed the adjournment because the three months police were allowed to complete investigations had not lapsed.

“If a case goes past three months, by practice, the defendant is automatically entitled to be discharged, unless the prosecutor have very good reasons to justify why there should be a further adjournment,” she said.

‘More work needed’
“The court has received that letter and considered that there is more work to be done on the investigations.”

She noted defence lawyer Inisi’s comments that he could ask the court that Kaiwi be discharged for want of police file on October 1.

“The court will consider the application when it’s made at the appropriate time,” she said.
Kaiwi was alleged to have tortured his partner between June 18 and 23.

She died on June 23 after five days of alleged assault.

Her body was left at the Port Moresby General Hospital where a doctor pronounced her dead.

Kaiwi was arrested and charged on June 25.

The Pacific Media Centre republishes The National articles with permission.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Papua New Guinea’s police and courts must work closely with media for transparency to inform the public on the daily investigation and court processes taken over the death of young mother Jenelyn Kennedy late last month, a men’s gender justice advocate says.

Man Up group representative Ganjiki Wayne said Jenelyn’s death had shown a call for justice and the entire country would be behind her families and relatives as the justice process served the country, reports the PNG Post-Courier.

“Papua New Guinea is offended by this crime committed and police, courts and media must work together to tell the people that the investigation is complete,” Wayne said.

READ MORE: Background and reports on gender-based violence in PNG

He said police must make daily briefings to media just like during the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic so the nation was aware of the process being taken.

“We need to know the evidence and witness process, we need to know the prosecution process,” he said.

“If there is a bail application file and processes on suspects, people need to know about it.”

He said the “PNG village” was much closer now and the community must be informed of every detail of her case being investigated.

“We don’t want Jenelyn’s death [investigation] to be incomplete or something happening to stop [the justice process],” he said.

Other cases of gender-based violence needed to be investigated also.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Key findings from the 2016 to 2018 Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey reveals that 56 percent of women aged 15 to 49 in PNG have experienced physical violence around the age of 15.

And 28 percent have experienced sexual violence.

Also 18 percent of women who have been pregnant have experienced violence during their pregnancy.

READ MORE: Background and reports on gender-based violence in PNG

Researcher and leading anti-violence campaigner Dr Fiona Hukula said that according to the survey this revealed the higher a woman’s education was, the more likely she would face violence.

“That is very scary in this country where we are trying to advocate for women’s lives and for better empowerment,” she said.

The death of 19-year-old mother Jenelyn Kennedy almost two weeks ago and a spate of protests over gender-based violence has focused national attention on the issue.

According to the survey, in terms of spousal violence, about 63 percent of ever-married women have experienced spousal physical, sexual, or emotional violence.

“The most common type of spousal violence is physical violence where 54 percent have experienced it, followed by emotional violence with 51 per cent.

Periodic demographic, health update
“Twenty-nine per cent of women have experienced spousal sexual violence, including injuries due to cuts, bruises, or aches.

In terms of seeking help, about 35 percent of women who have ever experienced physical or sexual violence have sought help, while 13 percent have never sought help but have told someone about the violence.

Thirty-nine percent of women who have experienced any type of physical or sexual violence have not sought help or told anyone about the violence.

The PNG Demographic and Health Survey is a nationally representative survey conducted as a periodic update of the demographic and health situation in Papua New Guinea.

The 2016-18 findings was the first DHS report conducted in PNG in collaboration with the worldwide Demographic and Health Surveys Programme, which is a global initiative coordinated by ICF, based in Rockville, Maryland, USA.

The survey was implemented by the PNG National Statistical Office.

The 2016-18 PNG DHS final report provides information on basic indicators of fertility, fertility preferences, family planning practices, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and other related health issues.

Grace Auka-Salmang is a PNG Post-Courier reporter.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Hundreds walked the Sir John Guise drive on Thursday calling for justice for the brutal death of 19-year-old mother-of-two – Jenelyn Kennedy last week.

Jenelyn’s battered lifeless body was taken into the Port Moresby General Hospital last Tuesday by four men (one believed to be the father of her two children).

Dr Sam Yockopua, the country’s chief of emergency, took to social media his outburst on what he described as “an inhumane act and work of the devil” after seeing her body.

READ MORE: Background and reports on gender-based violence in PNG

The media went to town with her story the next day and the Friday photograph of her battered body by The National (with permission from her family), we believe is the turning point of enough is enough.

We defied media ethics by publishing that photograph but it had to be done to drive home the message of violence is rampant in our society.

Her story needed to be told.

Though she is not around to tell it, her voice needed to be heard and that picture was used to ensure her voice was loud and clear and to also awaken the authorities and the country to the realities of gender-based violence (GBV).

Due to feelings of isolation, fear, and intimidation, many people do not speak up if they are being abused at home.

They live in fear, and therefore do not get the help that they need to get out of their current situation.

The brutality of her death has shaken the country and has not put authorities on the spot with their lack of pro-activeness in getting the GBV system working efficiently. Her story, we believe, will give victims some hope of reaching out for help and one day to speak about it.

It was a wakeup call for citizens to realise the horrific realities of GBV so they can check on their daughters, sisters or friends and help them get out before it’s too late, and so much more.

The march yesterday, with the many who wore black around the country and the evening vigil is a sign of togetherness to denounce violence against woman and to shine the light on the help system for victims.

A banner portrait showed Jenelyn’s smiling face.

Placards bearing her name and other victims, and slogans to ending violence were displayed.

Far too often, GBV cases covered by the media gradually gets swept away.

Domestic violence does not discriminate. It exists in households of every socio-economic status, and every ethnic and cultural background.

It is often used as a weapon of control and intimidation by a partner, spouse or ex-spouse.

Her death sparked public outcry – justice for her and all victims and to put an end to violence. It shone a light on the failing GBV help system. Institutions are now responding.

Strengths and gaps within the current system are now being identified and we hope those responsible will do what is needed to improve and correct it as we move forward.

All concerned stakeholders have the responsibility now holding each other accountable so we are on the right track.

The PNG National Strategy to Prevent and Response to Gender Based Violence 2016-2025 is there. Let us move forward on a strong course of action that protects and supports victims of domestic violence.

The bottom line is we want to put a stop to domestic violence – before it ever begins.
Everyone – government, police, lawyers, social services, health-care professionals and other community partners – has a role here.

It is our collective responsibility to stop the violence.

This National editorial was published in the weekend edition, 3-5 July 2020.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

A passionate plea by men, women and children has echoed around the Papua New Guinean capital of Port Moresby – that it is time to turn the corner on addressing gender-based violence in the country.

Gatherings, a peaceful march and a vigil were staged in the capital city on Thursday following the death of 19-year-old Jenelyn Kennedy, a mother-of-two, after alleged beatings at home.

Her husband appeared in court on Tuesday charged with wilful murder.

READ MORE: Background and reports on gender-based violence in PNG

Jean Parkop, wife of National Capital District Governor Powes, said this must be the turning point.

“Let’s not wait until someone else dies. We must demand for change, we must demand for action,” she said.

“As mothers, it is our duty to teach our sons to never hit women. This must not continue. We must stand up now.”

Prime Minister James Marape urged men to walk away from cultural and tribal defences, cycle of violence and to respect women.

‘Women are our partners’
“Women are our partners. They are our partners not just in homes but also in communities and the country as a whole,” he said.

Ironically, the idea of a vigil and march came from men who were so touched by Jenelyn’s death.

“It’s time men stand up for women – our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters,” said Solomon Kantha who floated the idea to his friends.

Kantha said the picture of Jenelyn’s battered body on The National’s front page last Friday just broke his heart.

“I felt that something had to be done. We had to stop these acts of cruelty against women. If not now, when? One day, it just might be our mother, sister, wife or even our daughter,” he said.

Kantha said he could not sleep last Friday because he too had daughters.

“I said let’s walk in memory of late Jenelyn. My friends reached out and said: Let’s do this. We decided to hold a vigil to not only remember her life but the lives of all other women who had died as a result of violence, for those still living in violence around the country.”

Make voices heard challenge
Kennedy family friend Thomas Opa from the Gulf challenged women to make their voices heard.

He said PNG already had laws to address such violence.

“What we need is for these laws and legislations to be actioned. We demand for action,” he said.

Opa said Jenelyn’s death had given a voice to women.

“Don’t let her death be in vain. Don’t let another young woman die like this. This is the time to demand for action, not just for Jenelyn but for all other women who have died from violence, for all the survivors of violence and for our daughters and their future,” he said.

Rebecca Kuku is a senior journalist with The National.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

By EMTV News

Many wore black yesterday in rallies against gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea in a day chosen to remember the young mother Jenelyn Kennedy – and for her death not to be in vain.

As demands grow for justice to be served and for stronger laws to be introduced, the national athletics team was among those who joined the “Walk for Jenelyn” yesterday afternoon from Parliament to the Sir John Guise Stadium, followed by a “shine the light” vigil.

The “Black Day for Jenelyn” call following Jenelyn Kennedy’s death has gained momentum, thanks to social media as word spread quickly and many working class people turned up to support the march.

READ MORE: Dame Meg Taylor’s message to PNG and other gender-based violence reports

The march was also livestreamed on social media by EMTV News.

Photos posted on social media came from different parts of the country, from Mendi in the Southern Highlands to Kiunga in the Western Province.

The march was an initiative by the PNG Men Up, a group comprising like-minded elite PNG men who want an end to violence by working alongside existing groups to drive this change.

The family of 19-year-old mother of two Jenelyn Kennedy, who died last week after allegedly being beaten for more than five days, also joined the walk.

Forum on better laws
Police commissioner David Manning earlier this week revealed plans to call for a forum after investigations are completed to looks at ways to strengthen existing laws, ensure police are more responsive and to push for the state to provide long term support systems for victims of family and sexual violence.

The NGO Development Council called for justice and an end to violence and also highlighted system failures that lead to breeding of family and sexual violence.

It condemned a system that allowed underage marriage and failures in the law, justice and health sectors to recognise the risks.

NDC has called on the police, health sector agencies, medical profession and other law and justice system partners to work together to change these deadly system failures.

‘Fake news’ claim
The office of the police minister released a statement dismissing a post on Facebook page PNG Daily claiming the minister as author of a misleading statement as “fake news”.

PNG Daily published a story using Police Minister Bryan Kramer’s name as the author and headlined it “Kaiwi just returned from overseas, must be quarantined for 14 days”.

Kaiwi has been charged with wilful murder over the murder of his partner Jenelyn Kennedy.

Kramer said he had taken note of a number of posts on social media questioning why Bhosip Kaiwi was not remanded at Bomana on Tuesday, reports EMTV News.

“When tagged on the question, I commented that I can only assume it’s because he has to go through a 14-day quarantine before being admitted into the general population,” Kramer said.

“I also explained that had he contracted covid-19 and enters the prison system and it spreads infecting the prisoners, then the government would be forced to start releasing prisoners, which is exactly what happened overseas.

“Right now, we don’t know who has covid-19 and who doesn’t. Some people have symptoms and get tested, and some don’t show any symptoms.”

Kramer said he had been advised by National Capital District (NCD) metropolitan superintendent Perou N’Dranou that Kaiwi was not transferred to Bomana on Tuesday because the remand warrant was received late and that prisoners cannot be transferred after 4pm.

The minister added that his comments were made based on recorded covid-19 cases overseas in countries like USA, UK and Brazil where governments were releasing prisoners to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

Accused Kaiwi moved to Bomana
The National reports that Kaiwi was moved to the isolation centre at Bomana prison on Wednesday where he would be remanded.

Rebecca Kuku reports that Police Commissioner David Manning said the Correctional Services department had strict covid-19 quarantine protocols for new admissions such as Kaiwi.

“I am advised by Correction Service (CS) Commissioner Stephen Pokanis that detainees admitted to the Bomana prison will be isolated at its designated isolation centre for 14 days, prior to being released to the general prison facility,” he said.

He said the risk [of covid-19] was high in prison and warders were working with police and health officials to manage it as any spread in prison would be disastrous.

The Pacific Media Centre has a partnership with EMTV News.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

I believe in the rights of women. I believe that the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the Mama Lo, safeguards the place of women in our nation.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Bhosip Kaiwi, the man accused of murder in the Papua New Guinean torture case, will be held at the Correctional Services Training College at Bomana to undergo 14 days of quarantine under the government’s covid-19 requirement, reports the PNG Post-Courier.

He will remain there until he is cleared before joining the general population at the Bomana jail.

He will be under the watchful eyes of prison warders.

READ MORE: Gender-based violence in PNG background and reports

On Tuesday, the man accused of killing the mother of his two children arrived under heavy police guard at the Waigani District Court as a large number of interested public and his dead partner’s family gathered outside to catch a glimpse of him.

Getting off the police vehicle, Kaiwi had his head covered with a white towel and was led into a waiting room at the courthouse by the NCD homicide and CID officers.

The angry crowd who watched the arrival called for the removal of the towel on his head.

“Rausim towel lo pes blo em!” (“remove the towel on his head”), “bai mipla paitim em!” (“let us belt him”), and “wanem kain man yah!” (who does he think he is) were some of the comments hurled at him as he was led into the courthouse.

Angry crowd outside court
He sat in a waiting room for a few minutes, awaiting his turn to appear before Magistrate Tracey Ganai.

After reading his charges, Magistrate Ganai issued a remand warrant that Kaiwi be moved from the Boroko police station cell to Bomana until his second appearance on July 30.

After that he was led out again to an angry crowd calling for his head and was rushed into the police vehicles back to Boroko police station, where he waited for the warrant to allow him to be taken up to the CS quarantine site.

Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis, when asked about reported threats against Kaiwi, said an assessment would be done and appropriate protection measures would be taken.

“Yes. The commanding officer and his officers will assess the situation, the threats and dangers, and where required, they will separate the detainee from other detainees.

“On a positive note, many detainees at Bomana are Godly people who will provide support to any person who is incarcerated at the institution,” Pokanis said.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Young Papua New Guinean mother-of-two Jenelyn Kennedy died from “head injury and bruised internal organs”, according to a doctor who examined her body.

Dr Seth Fose, the chief pathologist at the Port Moresby General Hospital, said the 19-year-old died from “blunt force trauma to the head and the body with a blunt instrument or object”.

Her body was left at the hospital by three men on Tuesday after she had undergone – alleged the babysitter who lived with her and her partner at a home at Korobosea – beatings for six days in a row.

READ MORE: Gender-based violence in PNG background and reports

Port Moresby police have charged her partner Bhosip Kaiwi with wilful murder. He has been in custody at the Boroko police station since last week and he appeared in the Waigani District Court today.

Jenelyn Kennedy’s body was left at the hospital on Tuesday by three men who arrived in a vehicle.

Grandfather Kennedy Karava said Jenelyn, who turned 19 on March 18, had been through five years of torture which they had been reporting to police.

In 2015, when she was in grade seven at the Eki Vaki Primary School, Karava said Jenelyn ran away with Kaiwi. They reported the matter to police as she was underage. They had two children.

Two doctors summoned
Babysitter Racheal Ipang told of how Jenelyn had been beaten up for six straight days up to last Monday night when two doctors were summoned to treat her at home.

Ipang said after the doctors had left, she had heard Jenelyn being beaten again.

“Her screams stopped at around 3am [Tuesday]. I believe that was when she passed away.”

The postmortem report, however, stated that she had died about 2pm on Tuesday.

Ipang said another woman was brought into the house to be the “second wife”, but she ran away after being subjected to beatings too.

Kennedy family spokesman Thomas Opa said the family would not accept any form of compensation from whoever caused Jenelyn’s death. They would leave it up to the court to decide on the appropriate punishment.

Meanwhile, the National Doctors Association is investigating the involvement of two doctors who were called to the home at Korobosea to treat Jenelyn.

Association secretary Dr Sam Yockopua said: “They could be nurses or other cadres of health workers”.

“We are investigating that,” he said.

“And if found guilty, we can revoke membership and refer them to the Medical Board for further action.”

Remand warrant for Kaiwi
PNG Post-Courier reports that Bhosip Kaiwi, the prime suspect in the killing of Jenelyn Kennedy, has appeared briefly before the Waigani District Court today facing a willful murder charge.

About 100 people gathered outside the courthouse this morning to catch a glimpse of the man who had shocked the nation with his alleged crimes.

Magistrate Tracey Ganai, after reading the charges, issued a remand warrant for Kaiwi to be moved from his Boroko police station cell to Bomana jail until his second court appearance due on July 30.

Kaiwi allegedly tortured and killed Kennedy, the mother of his two children, at his house in Korobosea, a northeast suburb of the capital Port Moresby.

Rebecca Kuku is a senior journalist with The National newspaper.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

The care of duty supposed to be provided to the young Papua New Guinean mother Jenelyn Kennedy killed last week was not properly done and everybody involved failed her, says a leading resarcher and anti-violence advocate.

“This includes the police officers at the Family Sexual Violence Unit (FSVU), doctors, family, friends and neighbours, who all failed to save this young lady who faced five years of torture by her partner,” said Dr Fiona Hukula.

“Those doctors who were involved need to be held accountable as they breached their medical ethics.

READ MORE: Gender-based violence in PNG background and reports

“Most of the FSVU operate until 4pm and a lot of this violence happens at night,” she said.

“The justice system does not start from the courts, it starts once a complaint is registered at the police station and the referral pathways are not effectively carried out.

“Not every case reported is attended to by the police as the survivor is told to return when it is open for operation.

“As far as I know, those people who work at the FSVU are not in the police structure, which means that they take them from other areas of policing.”

Specialised police needed
Dr Hukula said Papua New Guinea cannot have that kind of policing.

Gender-based violence police needed to be specialised – “be there at the counter all the time and be proactive in handling women”.

“For many women, they front up at the FSVU but do not return for some time due to continuous violence. So what the officer in FSVU should do is do a follow up and look for the survivor rather than waiting for her to return with more bruises or even result in death like the [last week’s] killing.

“The law is there, we need the systems and processes to effectively work for those suffering from violence.

“The child welfare system did not work for her, the police system did not work too, and so what has gone wrong here.

“Obviously in PNG, people with money and power get away with things,” she said.

Dr Hukula said the Family Support Centre headed by Tessie Tahiti Ranu needed more support as she was a champion because she dealt with survivors of violence and abuse, including children. Her kind of work needed a lot of support.

“We put a lot of money into law and justice response, we are not getting an outcome,” she said.

‘Start conversation at home’
“It is important to start this conversation in your own home.

“There are proper ways and processes to deal with anger apart from fighting. Everybody argues, and that is normal.

“However, what is not normal is fighting especially when beating up somebody up so badly which can result in death as such.”

EMTV News reports that the family has refused suggestions of compensation and have demanded justice.

They say the law, such as the Family Protection Act, the Criminal Code Act and the Lukautim Pikinini Act need to be sternly looked at and for enforcers and stakeholders to rise up and take action.

Partner charged with murder
The National reports police had charged a man with wilful murder over the death of Jenelyn Kennedy, the 19-year-old mother of two last Tuesday.

A statement issued by divisional police commander for the National Capital District and Central, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jr, and Metropolitan Superintendent N’dranou Perou, said Bosip Kaiwi, Jenelyn’s partner, was facing a charge of wilful murder.

He was being detained at the Boroko police station and expected to appear in court yesterday.

Eva Wangihama of the Laity Commission said men should not use their masculinity to exert power over women.

She urged the government to educate men on proper conduct and ethical behaviour.

Marie Mondu, development secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference, said: “Justice is not enough. We want all violence to end”

“It is alarming to see young women and girls brutally murdered by partners almost every month in PNG.”

Grace Auka-Salmang is a PNG Post-Courier reporter.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Protesters in Papua New Guinea and on social media have launched calls for tougher laws to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and brutality after the torture and death of a 19-year-old mother of two this week.

The death of Jenelyn Kennedy on Tuesday after six days of torture, allegedly by her partner Bosip Kaiwi – who is now in police custody charged over her killing – has shocked the nation.

READ MORE: The harrowing picture that tells a thousand words about tragedy

Papuan New Guinean women “are as good as dead” when they become “victims of DV (domestic violence)”, said one social media writer who penned an open letter in protest to Prime Minister James Marape.

The poster, Melanie Palili, wrote:

“Dear Mr Prime Minister James Marape

“Knowing that the system has failed Jenelyn Kennedy, the latest victim of domestic violence, is enough to know that all PNG women are good as dead if and when they become victims of DV.

“There is an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness right now!!

“How do you expect Papua New Guinean women to live your vision to take back PNG and make it a rich nation when you have a system that is not working effectively to protect lives that are equally important as men, lives that also contribute to nation building.

“It is too late to protect Jenelyn now, but I hope Jenelyn’s case will bother you enough to intervene and give her the justice she deserves and protect lives of every other women who are being abused.

“Mr Prime Minister, the first national goal or directive principle as outlined in our Constitution states that “every person to be dynamically involved in the process of freeing himself or herself from every form of domination or oppression so that each m

an or woman will have the opportunity to develop as a whole person in relationship with others”.

“Create that environment for us. Let every Papua New Guinean woman have a voice in this country!!”

A police statement today denied social media postings and rumours claiming that the suspect in Kennedy’s killing had been released on bail.

“[The suspect] was formally arrested and charged and will appear in court on Monday, 29th June 2020, to ensure his warrant is issued for transfer to CS Bomana.

“We would like to put to rest certain posts being shared on Facebook that the suspect has been granted bail. Police have no jurisdiction to grant bail for such serious cases. Only the courts do.

“Senior officers have physically checked and confirmed that Mr Bosip Kaiwi is in police custody, locked up in a holding cell at Boroko Police Station.”

In an ununusual step, the police also released images of Kaiwi being held in the cells at Port Moresby’s Boroko Police Station.

The death of Jenelyn Kennedy follows a spate of gender-based violence cases in Papua New Guinea, including elite PNG athlete Debbie Kaore, who was brutally assaulted by her partner in front of her children.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

The battered body of young mother Jenelyn Kennedy lay in a morgue yesterday as relatives told of the repeated beatings she had been receiving in the past five years which had been reported to police.

Grandfather Kennedy Karava said Jenelyn had last week been subjected to another six days of beating.

She finally collapsed at the home she shared with her partner at Korobosea in Port Moresby early Tuesday morning.

Her partner was charged with wilful murder yesterday.

Karava said Jenelyn was only 15 and doing Grade Seven at the Eki Vaki Primary School when her father gave her a house in downtown to live in. She eloped with her partner in late 2015.

“We started looking for her. My son heard that they were living at 6-Mile. He lodged a complaint with the 6-Mile police station as she was under age,” he said.

“But at the police station, the officer told [my son] to come back the next day. He released Jenelyn and the partner. The next day, my son and I went to the police station and waited untill afternoon. The police station commander referred us to the Sexual Offence Unit at the Boroko police station.”

He said they were told to leave their contacts with police and that “they would get back to us”.
Jenelyn and her partner disappeared in 2016.

“We went back a couple of times to the police station but they said the same thing: leave a number and will call you back,” he said.

Last year, Jenelyn managed to run away from her partner and returned to her maternal family at the Murray Barracks – “with her two babies, a broken arm and a black eye”.

Uncle Dickson Karava said the partner came and took her back, and “beat her up”.

“Every time we tried to intervene, she would stop us, saying he had the money and connections and would just make her life worse.”

Her children’s babysitter, Racheal Ipang, said when she returned to her partner in October last year, “he was good to her for a week, then beat her up again”.

Ipang said Jenelyn wasn’t allowed to leave her room.

“Jenelyn sought help, went to the safe house at Ela Beach, at Kaugere, at Erima, but it was no use.”

Ipang told of how last Thursday [June 18] he had assaulted her too before turning to Jenelyn again.

“We were inside the kids’ room when I started hearing Jenelyn’s muffled cries, the noise of chains and banging on the door.

“I was scared too. There were five men in the house too but they didn’t intervene.

“He beat her from last week Thursday to Monday morning when he called for a doctor [named] to treat her at home.”

She said after the doctor left, he beat her again.

“Her screams stopped at around 3am [Tuesday]. I believe that’s when she passed away.”

Journalist Rebecca Kuku has a special Facebook page called Becky’s World where she discusses GBV issues.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz