Radio Free never accepts money from corporations, governments or billionaires – keeping the focus on supporting independent media for people, not profits. Since 2010, Radio Free has supported the work of thousands of independent journalists, learn more about how your donation helps improve journalism for everyone.

Make a monthly donation of any amount to support independent media.





Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them

By Hilaire Bule, RNZ Pacific correspondent in Port Vila Scores of homes near the Vanuatu capital Port Vila which were deemed illegal dwellings have been destroyed following a court-ordered eviction. Residents have told media they burned down their own homes rather than allow the police to do so. The sheriff of the court, who was

By Hilaire Bule, RNZ Pacific correspondent in Port Vila

Scores of homes near the Vanuatu capital Port Vila which were deemed illegal dwellings have been destroyed following a court-ordered eviction.

Residents have told media they burned down their own homes rather than allow the police to do so.

The sheriff of the court, who was with the police to enforce the eviction order, said that more than 400 people were forced to move from the area, about 10 minutes drive from Port Vila, because they were illegally squatting.

The Sheriff said they were ordered by the court to vacate the area in May 2021 but they did not follow the order, and therefore police had to use two 5-tonne loaders to destroy the homes and fruit trees.

A mother said she did not want to see her home destroyed by the heavy machines so she burnt it down.

They also destroyed their church house for the same reason, she said.

Long-standing relationship turned on its head
Another squatter, Mary Maung, told media she was the first to settle in the land after she was given permission from the paramount chief of Mele, Chief Momo Masai.

She gave food to Chief Masai each year for allowing her to live on his land, she said.

Maung said the relationship changed under the new chief, Simeon Poilapa.

She said she and three other mothers had already deposited 100,000 vatu (NZ$1400) to buy the land where she built her home to Dataka Holding Ltd, which is owned by Chief Poilapa.

The Vanuatu Lands Department said the area was already subdivided but the squatters settled there illegally.

Some of the displaced residents have moved in with relatives in Mele, Teouma, Erakor and other parts of Efate.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.


This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.


Print Share Comment Cite Upload Translate Updates

Leave a Reply

APA

APR editor | Radio Free (2022-08-24T00:54:46+00:00) Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2022/08/24/residents-torch-own-homes-rather-than-let-vanuatu-police-destroy-them/

MLA
" » Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them." APR editor | Radio Free - Wednesday August 24, 2022, https://www.radiofree.org/2022/08/24/residents-torch-own-homes-rather-than-let-vanuatu-police-destroy-them/
HARVARD
APR editor | Radio Free Wednesday August 24, 2022 » Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them., viewed ,<https://www.radiofree.org/2022/08/24/residents-torch-own-homes-rather-than-let-vanuatu-police-destroy-them/>
VANCOUVER
APR editor | Radio Free - » Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them. [Internet]. [Accessed ]. Available from: https://www.radiofree.org/2022/08/24/residents-torch-own-homes-rather-than-let-vanuatu-police-destroy-them/
CHICAGO
" » Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them." APR editor | Radio Free - Accessed . https://www.radiofree.org/2022/08/24/residents-torch-own-homes-rather-than-let-vanuatu-police-destroy-them/
IEEE
" » Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them." APR editor | Radio Free [Online]. Available: https://www.radiofree.org/2022/08/24/residents-torch-own-homes-rather-than-let-vanuatu-police-destroy-them/. [Accessed: ]
rf:citation
» Residents torch own homes rather than let Vanuatu police destroy them | APR editor | Radio Free | https://www.radiofree.org/2022/08/24/residents-torch-own-homes-rather-than-let-vanuatu-police-destroy-them/ |

Please log in to upload a file.




There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.

You must be logged in to translate posts. Please log in or register.