Youths, Their Families Told To Leave Village After Breaking Bylaws

Seven youths and their families of Matawalu Village in Lautoka have been given 30 days to vacate the village after breaking a zero-tolerance rule for criminal activities within the village.

Matawalu Village headman Ananaisa Natou confirmed this yesterday.

The ultimatum came af­ter the youths whose ages ranged from 18 to 25 alleg­edly damaged three vehicles and hurled vulgar language at villagers at the village a few weeks ago.

Two have since been arrest­ed and charged for damaging property. They have been re­manded in custody.

“The Police were here in the village, visited their homes and told them that they have to leave the village,” he said.

Mr Natou said the group of youths had been committing these acts in the village for the last two to three years.

He claimed that one of them had been selling mari­juana in the village for the past four years, however, no action was taken.

Decision

Mr Natou explained that the decision was based on existing village bylaws that were in effect.

“We have the village by­laws, and we are using it now as it was gazetted five years ago. Since we cannot have a village meeting yet, we are working with the bylaws that is in effect, that is, to give of­fenders and their families 30 days to vacate the village. In this case, they have to leave the village by the 19th of Au­gust,” he said.

“The Police, army and Roko are aware of this, and these people have been given ample time to find another place to stay. In default, then the law of immediate effect comes in and that’s when Po­lice or the army come in.”

He said this was the only solution he saw fit to protect the village and its people.

“Now the village is quiet, and some group members have run off, but the law stands and there is zero tol­erance for these actions.”