Police arrest nine over savage beatings

Nine people have been arrested after a late-night beating left two brothers, one of whom is still fighting for his life, badly injured.

The arrests came yesterday morning, nearly four weeks after Sila and Vili Kamoto were beaten by up to 12 young people in Morrie Laing Ave, Mt Roskill, in the middle of the road.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley of the Avondale CIB said nine young Avondale men aged 17 to 24 had been charged with a range of offences including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault with a weapon.

Mr Whitley said the charges related to the attack on 19-year-old Vili Kamoto and his friend.

Charges relating to the attack on his older brother Sila Kamoto, who remains in a coma and on life-support in Auckland Hospital, would be laid later.

Mr Whitley said those charges would depend on whether the 23-year-old recovered from head injuries which witnesses say were inflicted by a sledgehammer, crowbar, baseball bat, golf club and logs of wood.

The arrested men are due to appear in the Auckland District Court today.

Mr Whitley said the investigation into the attacks was continuing but yesterday's arrests represented a significant breakthrough for the inquiry team.

"It's another step forward and a great step forward."

The Kamoto family, who have been asked to be left alone while they deal with the attack, are said to be "very, very happy" with the arrests.