Police are currently looking into a reported forced eviction that took place in Lovu Seaside, Lautoka, yesterday. The investigation began after Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Iakobo Vaisewa acknowledged a complaint from a tenant named Sofia Farzana, who claimed that her landlord had forcibly evicted her from her residence.
In a video shared on social media, Ms. Farzana documented individuals, believed to be the landowners, removing her property’s perimeter fencing and plants while insisting on her eviction. One of the men in the video accused Ms. Farzana and her family of selling the land without the appropriate consent from the landowner. He demanded to see a lease title registered in Ms. Farzana’s name.
Ms. Farzana stated that her grandmother purchased the land in 1998 and transferred the title to her shortly before her recent passing. “I was born here. I was raised by my grandmother. She bought this land and built this house. She has transferred this property under my name,” she asserted.
Moreover, Ms. Farzana alleged that the landowners demanded $15,000 to repurchase the land, expressing distress over the situation. “They said if we want to stay here, we must buy the land again with a new title. Where do we get the money? My husband is a struggling chef. This is a degrading and humiliating experience for me and my two little children,” she lamented.
SSP Vaisewa confirmed that the investigation is ongoing as authorities work to address the situation.
This case highlights the critical issue of tenant rights and the complexities surrounding land ownership in the region. It would be beneficial for the community to engage in discussions about housing rights and support systems for families facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of safety and stability for all residents.
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