Leauva’a women beat-up Afega matai in Lands and Titles Court

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 06 December 2024 – The Vice President of the Lands & Titles Court (LTC) Afamasaga Michael So’onalole walked out of the courtroom when strong words were used resulting in physical attacks and three women of Leauva’a village beating up a matai of Afega village.

The case on land ownership was an appeal by the Saena family of Tuana’i against Afega matai and Tuala Tele’a Li’ili’i of Leauva’a.

Vasaifanua Milovale who led the Saena family side, told the media that a fight started when Ututaaloga Charlie Iulia of Afega issued threatening words against Tuala Tele’a Li’ili’i. The words spoken in Samoan were “Magaia ou guku i le fafao ai o se alā.” 

The threat was issued inside the court room with the Vice President presiding.

Tuala’s children responded and Ututagaloa’s son Ken allegedly attacked Tuala’s son, then three Leauva’a women descended on him and started beating him up.

Then others present joined the fight. Vaisaifanua however said he ordered his side not to be involved.

“The Vice President then stormed out of the courtroom followed by the Registrar,” said Vasaifanua.

After some time when Police calmed the situation down, the police informed the Vice President who returned and continued the hearing. There was no reference to the incident.

Vasaifanua Milovale who led the Saena family side in the land appeal case against Afega.

The Appeal
Tuala Tele’a is residing on land that Afega claims belongs to them. A court ruled in favour of Afega in 2018 and an eviction order was issued against Tuala.

Vasaifanua said they appealed the decision although they were not part of the original case.

“The reason we appealed is because we are concerned that Afega has continued to forcefully claim that all the lands behind Tuana’i village and where Tuala resides, belong to them when the land actually belongs to Saena Sai’moa,” Vasaifanua explained.

He believes Afega has misinterpreted the courts’ decision that says “E pule Saena Sa’imoa i le fanua ae pule faamalumalu Alii ma Faipule o Afega.”

Asked to elaborate, he said, a previous court decision over the land cited Saena Sa’imoa as the “pule faamau” and that was again cited in the case between Afega and Tuala Tele’a.

“E pule Saena Sa’imoa ae pule fa’amalumalu Afega,” he said.

Vasaifanua and his side although they appealed, were treated as witnesses as they were not part of the original hearing between Afega and Tuala.

The court will deliver its decision on the appeal next Friday. It is not certain whether any legal action will be taken against those involved in the scuffle.