The High Court of Suva has ruled for the eviction of squatters occupying land in Tacirua East owned by Ridgeview Estate Pte Ltd. The company’s director, Anthony Eugene Ah Koy, presented an affidavit to the court asserting that the squatters had no legal right to stay on the property located on Khalsa Rd.
The court was informed that assisting the squatters was not feasible due to the lack of identifiable information about them, including their identities and residences.
While the squatters acknowledged Ridgeview Estate’s ownership of the land since 2017, they contended that their presence on the land began before the issuance of formal leases and claimed that they had the prior approval of the landowning mataqali representatives when they moved in. Notably, they stated that they were unaware when the land was transferred to Ridgeview Estate.
Justice Savenaca Banuve ruled in favor of Ridgeview Estate, issuing an order for the removal of the squatters. This order designated the Sheriff of the Court, alongside police assistance, to ensure the safe disconnection and removal of all utilities, including water and electricity connections that had been unlawfully established by the squatters.
This decision underscores the complexities surrounding land ownership and informal settlements in Fiji. As the government navigates these issues, community dialogue could play a role in addressing the needs of both landowners and squatters.
Given the widespread issue of informal settlements, this case may prompt discussions on how to approach land use policies and community assistance programs to protect vulnerable populations while honoring property rights.
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