Tari mayor announces K10,000 bounty to prevent killing in town

Tari town mayor John Buni Lamba addressing the crowd following his appointment (Image: Supplied)

Newly appointed Mayor of Tari Town, John Buni Lamba, has announced a K10,000 reward for the apprehension and surrender of any individuals involved in murders within the township.

The announcement was made at Pangale House Grandstand, ahead of Prime Minister James Marape’s scheduled Christmas and New Year address to the Hela people.

Mayor Buni emphasized that under his leadership, the culture of violence that has plagued the provincial capital must end.

He called for a new era of cooperation across the nine wards of the Tari Urban Authority, stressing that the community must work hand-in-hand with police to ensure criminals face justice.

"As we enter 2026, Tari Town must be a safe haven where past killings will not define our future," Lamba said. "We will no longer tolerate tribal conflicts from neighboring LLGs or districts [Komo Hulia, Magarima, and Koroba Lake Kopiago], spilling into our streets."

Mayor Lamba urged youths to act as the eyes and ears of the law to prevent the destabilization of Tari Town. He further elaborated that Tari is not just a village but a hub for government services and commerce.

He said protecting it ensures that services like health and education continue to reach the people.

The mayor called on the youth to transition from being part of the problem to being part of the solution by supporting police work.

He said the initiative before 2026, is setting a New Year’s Resolution for the entire province to prioritize peace during the holiday season and beyond.