Land row ends in home demolition

A long-running land dispute in Veikoba, Kalabu, Naitasiri, has left a family homeless after the house they had been living in for 60 years was demolished on Friday.

Litiana Valaca of the Naulukaroa clan claimed she’s the landowner.

She claimed the lease for the land expired more than two decades ago and the land had reverted to the clan after confirmation from the Ministry of iTaukei Lands and Mineral Resources.

She said the original leaseholder had died and the family currently living on the land had been required to vacate the land.

Ms Valaca said the family had been served with an eviction notice by her lawyer on Monday after repeated requests over two years for them to relocate.

They were also offered another piece of the clan’s land where they could rebuild their home.

She said the demolition was conducted after the occupants failed to comply with the eviction notice, and the advice of her lawyer.

“We need the site where our 31-block development will be built to be cleared,” she said.

Lessee Tevita Rokotuibau disputed Ms Valaca’s account, saying his family had lived on the land for more than 60 years.

He acknowledged that Ms Valaca and Naulukaroa clan own the land, but questioned how the demolition was conducted, claiming they had been told police officers, a lawyer and the village headman would be present when the house was removed.

Mr Rokotuibau also denied allegations contained in the eviction notice accusing family members of drug use and drunken behavior.

Attempts were made to obtain a comment from the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources.

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