Yaqona theft in Taveuni has reached alarming levels, prompting local farmers to hire guards to watch over their crops, even during church services on Sundays. During a recent parliamentary session, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka addressed this issue, highlighting the organized nature of the thieves who often utilize outboard-powered boats and shipping services to transport stolen yaqona from Taveuni to Vanua Levu and beyond.
Mr. Rabuka expressed strong disapproval of the theft, stating there is no justification for stealing from others and emphasized the impact on farmers’ livelihoods. He shared statistics from the Fiji Police Force that reveal a fluctuating but troubling number of yaqona theft incidents over the past five years: 71 cases in 2019, rising to 115 in 2020, slightly decreasing to 111 in 2021 and then 98 in 2022. This year saw 57 cases reported so far, with 82 reported from January to October.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts made by the police to combat this crime, including community engagement, increased patrols, and collaboration with local authorities, including churches. He noted that previous methods, such as simply praying for an end to the theft, were not effective.
To further tackle the problem, police are enhancing community policing, especially visiting known offenders and running awareness programs with local communities and village elders. District officers have been assigned to register all yaqona farmers in Taveuni, thereby establishing a monitoring system to track sales and purchases of yaqona.
Additionally, due to a notable rise in the theft of green yaqona—a type not yet regulated—Mr. Rabuka proposed that all yaqona business license holders must also include those involved in the buying and selling of green yaqona. He humorously remarked that whenever presented with yaqona plants, he now wonders if they were uprooted recently.
The police are also planning to establish a new community police post on the island, and locals have affectionately named the taskforce tackling these crimes the “KVS” or “Kila Vata Squad.”
Mr. Rabuka reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting Taveuni farmers, ensuring they can cultivate and sell their crops without fear of theft.
This overview highlights the serious actions being taken to protect local farmers and restore order in Taveuni, showcasing a community coming together to combat crime while emphasizing resilience and support for farmers fighting to preserve their livelihoods.
In summary, while the challenge of yaqona theft remains significant, the proactive approach from both government and local communities offers a hopeful outlook towards reclaiming safety and stability for Taveuni’s farmers.
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