Police charge two after brutal attacks

Riki Mafi

Police have arrested two men after a killing and a brutal assault in South Auckland.

A Manukau labourer, 24, is to appear in Manukau District Court today charged with clubbing Riki Mafi to death with a baseball bat in Otara town centre on Saturday night.

He is the fifth person arrested in relation to the incident.

Police said Mr Mafi's family were relieved at the outcome.

And a Mangere man has been arrested over an attack on a 16-year-old boy which left the boy blind in one eye.

Detective Sergeant Albie Alexander said the 21-year-old man had been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He appeared in the Manukau District Court, and would reappear on October 18.

The man is under strict bail conditions including a curfew and non-association orders.

Police were making further inquiries and would not rule out more arrests.

The 17-year-old was injured about midnight on Saturday in Fergusson Road, Mangere.

An altercation occurred between the victim and his brother and another group - including the arrested man - who was walking past the address.

A fight broke out, in which the weapons used included a tomahawk, a samurai sword, bottles and fence palings.

The victim was hit in the head with a fence paling which has left him without sight in one eye.

Police said that as with most incidents of a similar nature, alcohol was involved.

- NZPA