The Fiji Police Force has reported a total of 534 theft incidents involving the yaqona plant on Taveuni Island from October 2019 to October 2023. Prime Minister and Minister for Police, Sitiveni Rabuka, addressed this alarming rise in thefts during a Parliament session, responding to inquiries from Group of Nine (G9) Leader, Ioane Naivalurua.
Mr. Rabuka acknowledged the challenges in explaining the rise of these thefts. He emphasized that the police are actively working to mitigate the issue, employing a community-oriented approach known as the vanua method.
Here is a breakdown of the theft statistics by year:
– 2019: 71 cases
– 2020: 115 cases
– 2021: 111 cases
– 2022: 98 cases
– 2023: 57 cases
– January to October 2024: 82 cases
The Prime Minister noted a significant spike in thefts from 2019 to 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, reports indicate a decrease in theft occurrences from 2020 until the previous year. Nevertheless, 2024 has seen a rise in cases again.
In response to this ongoing issue, Mr. Rabuka mentioned that there has been a growing partnership between the police and local churches, including the Methodist Church, which may assist in addressing the thefts. He also highlighted the increasing incidences of green yaqona plant theft but pointed out that there are currently no regulations governing the sale and purchase of these plants. To combat this, the Fiji Police Force is proposing that all yaqona business license holders be required to include the sale and purchase of green yaqona within their operational criteria.
In summary, while the theft of yaqona plants presents a significant challenge on Taveuni Island, the proactive measures being taken by the police and community organizations offer hope for reversing this trend and restoring integrity to local agricultural practices. Continued collaboration among stakeholders may pave the way for effective solutions that benefit the community as a whole.
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