Sabeto Landowners Want Land Back

Crown land will only be returned to landowners if there are not enough landowning units available, says Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu.

Mr Vasu made the comment when responding to questions about grievances raised by the Sabeto landowners who want their land back.

The landowners belonging to the Yavusa (tribe) Lewaiwavuwavu of Sabeto Village peacefully protested in front of the Office of the Prime Minister’s on Thursday, requesting the return of their land.

Lewaiwavuwavu trustee and member, Sitiveni Vuniyayawa, said 125 acres of land had been under a Crown lease since the 1990s.

The land is located in the Barara Flats, along the Lomolomo Stretch in Nadi.

We have watched this piece of land change ownership over the years and have received nothing from it, Mr Vuniyayawa said.

First sold by Tui Sabeto, who was once known to be the fiercest among all the chiefs in the West, he made it clear that the land belonged to one of my inferior tribes, that was us.

According to Mr Vuniyayawa, in 1951, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, submitted that all crown land be returned to the landowners.

Lewaiwavuwavu Trustee and member Sitiveni Vuniyayawa.

However, 73 years later, they are still in the same position.

Two weeks before the 2022 General Election, the FijiFirst government renewed another two parcels of land with promises of development plan,” Mr Vuniyayawa said.

“So far, nothing at all. We want the land back because we have investors who want to develop that piece of land.”

Mr Vasu said the land would only be granted to landowners if they had insufficient land-owning units.

State Land Act

Section 8 of the State Land Act 1945 states that when an iTaukei land acquired by the State for public purposes is no longer needed, the Minister, after consultations with the Cabinet, may declare it as native land.

Of course, there are issues regarding the history of land selling, but it is clear that all landowning units undergo a process,” Mr Vasu said.

“Once it is approved by the iTaukei Land Trust Board, the Ministry of Lands will then process the reversion of the title of the land.”

Despite not being able to speak directly with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Mr Vuniyayawa said they were told that they would have a one-on-one session scheduled with him.

Fiji Sun reached out to the Ministry of Lands and the iTaukei Land Trust Board for comments on the matter. Ac-cording to both organisations, they wished to provide an accurate, fact-checked response.

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