Police are currently looking into a reported forced eviction in Lovu Seaside, Lautoka, which occurred yesterday. Senior Superintendent of Police Iakobo Vaisewa confirmed that they received a complaint from tenant Sofia Farzana, who alleges that her landlord compelled her to leave her home.
In a video shared by Ms. Farzana on social media, individuals, presumed to be landowners, can be seen dismantling fencing and uprooting plants on her property while insisting on her eviction. One man in the video claimed that Ms. Farzana and her family had sold the land without the landowner’s approval and demanded verification of a lease title in her name. However, Ms. Farzana asserted that her grandmother purchased the land in 1998 and transferred the title to her before her recent passing.
“I was born here. I was raised by my grandmother. She bought this land and built this house, and it was passed down to me,” she stated. Furthermore, she alleged that the landowners requested $15,000 for the right to repurchase the land.
“They said if we want to stay, 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 small children,” Ms. Farzana expressed.
As the investigation progresses, there is hope that a fair resolution can be reached, safeguarding the rights of tenants in such distressing situations. The police’s involvement highlights the importance of adhering to legal procedures in matters of property and tenancy, ensuring that vulnerable individuals like Ms. Farzana receive the protection they deserve.
This story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding land ownership and tenant rights, emphasizing the need for clear communication and understanding between landlords and tenants.
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