William Kapis has received much media attention of late. His name has been linked with two bank robberies, namely the BSP Bank Branch in Kerema and more recently the BSP Branch in Madang. The case is still before the courts.
In Tok Pisin the word kapis means cabbage but in slang it’s actually a rude word and I’m very surprised that no one - I say no one - has made any mention or inference to the man’s name. It might be because I come from a different culture where occasionally below the belt humour makes it’s way into the ether - or perhaps it’s out of respect for the man himself - I don’t know the exact reason but as I said - I have not come across any reference to the alternate meaning of this word.
Kapis when translated from Tok Pisin is the cu** word. Sorry folks for using this word and for not being a little more succinct but a fact is a fact plus I’ve never really been one to beat around the bush anyway. I meant what I said in the title of this post: “No offense Mr Kapis” nor do I intend any malice towards Kapis himself nor any of his family that might carry the same name.
What’s really struck me though is the way the media have worded some of the stories related to the William and the two BSP Bank robberies that he is alleged to have been involved in.
Here are some excerpts of recent stories published in The National:
Story dated 27/8/08:
Kapis to be released for medical care
By JOSHUA ARLO
WILLIAM Kapis has successfully obtained orders from the National Court to be released from Bomana maximum security unit (MSU) to Port Moresby General Hospital on medical grounds…
Story dated 18/8/08:
Kapis to appear in court on Thursday
By DIPA GIGMAI
ROBBERY suspect William Kapis will appear before a magistrate this Thursday on a charge of escaping from lawful custody…
Story dated 21/8/08:
State lawyers warned over rights of Kapis
By JOSHUA ARLO
A COURT judge yesterday warned State prosecutors to treat seriously constitutional issues raised by lawyers representing William Kapis, the top suspect in the Bank South Pacific robbery in Madang…
Story dated 22/7/08:
Kapis yet to receive medical attention
By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
PRISON escapee William Kapis is lying in pain at the Boroko cells, National Capital District, without receiving medical attention…
Story dated 1/8/08:
Kapis gets a breather
By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
POLICE interviews with prison escapee William Kapis in relation to the Madang Bank South Pacific K2 million robbery have been suspended…
So folks… the first post in close to four years in which I have used the “C” word. Apologies to anyone reading this post that has been offended. As far as Mr. William Kapis - if you’re ever released and find yourself in the Goroka area - I’d be more than willing to apologise and buy you a beer. I am hoping that a man of your girth and mental stamina that you might be able to see the funny side to the above post.
Rob,
to be correct, the word Kapis / Capis refers to Cabbage. please get your tok pidgin language right before you post your article. what you’re trying to refer here is an expression people in our (PNG) society use but its not the real meaning of the word Kapis/Capis. Like i said, it simply means CABBAGE and it is not a rude word.
No offence Mr Robert.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Perhaps I should have referred to it as slang Tok Pisin.
R
Correction,
According to Mihalic the correct spelling of cabbage is Kabis.
That’s Kabis with a “K” and a “B”.
No offence Mr Apomase
Yes it is offensive in a way and no one has bothered to actually say it out loud, but Kapis is slang and anyone on the street will tell you that. But then who cares if Mr. Kapis is offended or rots in jail? What has he done for us lately?
I guess Mr William’s surname is a nickname or an alias or so, otherwise in PNG it would be funny/embarassing to have a name like that so I’m sure he would have changed it to something else….ANyway the poor guy is just a puppet who has been used by some big shots for their greed-otherwise he would not have single handedly done what he did with support of police etc… I guess the likes of corrupt politicians and others like the NPF saga culrpits should be serving time and rotting behind bars more then Mr mmm..eh..Kapis.
Good point!
R