George Constantinou.
A very sad sorry day for PNG again.
Farewell George and I had a few Singha's while recalling the many times I flew you over the gap to/from Popondetta and Girua since 1970. What wonderful days, sadly gone for ever as tinpis says.
Looie.
News
Wednesday 17th December, 2008
Thugs kill Knight
SIR George Constantinou, 75, founder of the Hebou group of companies, was attacked and suffered fatal injuries in a gang ambush
at Gerehu yesterday.
He was waylaid by up to 30 youths as he checked timber for his company’s work at a timber yard near controversial Tete
settlement.
Sir George, who spent much of his life starting and running a business empire in construction, road building and hotels in
Papua New Guinea, was pronounced dead at Pacific International Hospital emergency room at around 4pm yesterday, about two hours
after the attack.
There were unconfirmed reports he was also stabbed and shot. It was reported that a suspect was arrested by police last night.
Police yesterday afternoon took over the Tete settlement.
Metropolitan Superintendent Fred Yakasa and operations superintendent Anderson Bawa gave settlers 24 hours notice to hand in
the 30 or so suspects or be evicted by 4.06pm today.
Mr Yakasa and Mr Bawa, who were clearly upset, reiterated that Tete settlement was on state land and as of yesterday the police
“has taken this land back and there will be no room for negotiations”.
According to a company spokesman who wanted to go by the name of “Mitch”, an official statement will be released today by
Hebou Constructions. His empire included the Oasis apartments. Earlier in his career, he was also involved in the Airways and
Lamana hotels.
Archie Vanua, the man who was with Sir George, witnessed the mobbing, looting of a two-way radio and Sir George’s handgun. He
suffered minor injuries after the vehicle they were in slipped into a ditch when trying to avoid a roadblock set up by about 20
youths as they left a timber yard next to the settlement.
The two men had gone to the yard to inspect timber. Mr Vanua said as they were trying to drive out, the youths stopped them.
Sir George, realising the situation, sped past the mob. The youths scattered but regrouped after another group on the side of a
hill turned on the vehicle after it crashed into the drain not far from the block.
According to Mr Vanua as told to our cameraman, Sir George was trying to speed but did not negotiate the bend and hit the
ditch.
THIS was when the 30 or so youths, armed with all kinds of weapons including a gun, pointed it at Mr Vanua and asked for
valuables to be handed over.
Mr Vanua said he refused and raised his arms to surrender. Sir George instead didn’t want to give in to the thugs and was hit
over the right side of his head with a heavy object.
The looting started and then the youths fled.
Mr Vanua tried to stop cars for assistance but none came. Harry Yaman, a 14-year-old youth who happened to be passing by came
to their rescue and helped Vanua take Sir George to the St John Ambulance office at Rainbow Estate before coming to Pacific
International Hospital.
“When I went to assist him he was choking on his own blood. I cleaned the blood, held him and was talking to him when we went
to Rainbow. Blood was coming out of his ears, nose and mouth,” Mr Vanua said.
Hebou workers were already at the PIH when the news of Sir George’s death reached them.
Sir George’s body was later taken to the Funeral Home.
The police hierarchy and other business partners and associates who heard of his death expressed shock.
Prime suspects whose names were given to police and called out yesterday for the benefit of their relatives to “come good”,
included the son of a pastor.
Mr Yakasa said: “This kind of man and other senior corporate citizens like this should not die in this manner after so many
years of giving their lives to building this nation.”
Mr Bawa said: “This place has never for once co-operated with police. His blood has spilt here at Tete. If you cannot respect a
life, why should we respect yours. By this time tomorrow this place will be like this ground,” rubbing the earth beneath him
with his foot and pointing at them saying.
“Do you understand what is expected of you.”
The crowd responded with nods and yeses and even clapped to show that they understood their night assignments.
Police said last night one man was arrested and was in custody for questioning.