The first prosecution witness in the sedition trial of The Fiji Times and others, confirmed in the High Court today that the Nai Lalakai article had said that if Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum flees the country, the iTaukei of today and tomorrow will face the consequences of carrying the heavy debt he has brought upon the people.
Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Naipote Katonitabua confirmed that this is his translation of the Nai Lalakai article written by contributor, Josaia Waqabaca.
The lawyer for Fiji Times, Wylie Clarke then asked Katonitabua if his translation says that everyone will be left with debt if Sayed-Khaiyum goes. Katonitabua confirmed that this is the translation from the article.
Katonitabua then agreed with Clarke’s translation of Waqabaca’s letter which says that ‘Let us not forget the land in Serua, Lodoni, Namena and Dawasamu including all 14 provinces in Fiji has now been alienated.’
When asked by Clarke on whether he knew what Josaia Waqabaca is talking about, Katonitabua said that this land have different ownership issues and the statement contradicts what they have in the Ministry of iTaukei records.
Clarke then raised the issue that the areas that have been highlighted for specific reasons like Serua has freehold land issues. Katonitabua said that there is a process where the government is returning the land to the rightful owners.
Katonitabua agrees that this is a long standing issue and it has nothing to do with Nai Lalakai.
Clarke then put to Katonitabua that even after various talks, people still have fear.
Katonitabua said that the freehold land in Serua is being returned to the landowners.
He agreed that if the government didn't recognize this as a genuine grievance they wouldn't be doing this
Meanwhile Katonitabua says that the IT Department is currently looking for the email he sent to The Fiji Times raising issues about the Nai Lalakai article in question in 2016.
Katonitabua told Wylie Clarke that he had sent an email to Fiji Times after seeing the article but the iTaukei Affairs Ministry cannot find a copy of his email at this stage.
Clarke then said to Katonitabua that evidence shows that no such email was received by Fiji Times.
Katonitabua says the IT Department is going through the records to find his email.
Clarke then questioned Katonitabua whether the search started yesterday. Katonitabua confirmed that the search for his email started yesterday after the issue was highlighted in court.
Katonitabua also says that the Nai Lalakai comes to their office every Wednesday morning and they have a media cell group that monitors the contents of the newspaper.
He says unfortunately, his predecessor did not take some of the issues in the Nai Lalakai seriously.
Katonitabua says there were a lot of sensitive racial issues and there was no action taken against the newspaper.
He says in May and June 2016, the iTaukei Affairs Ministry had to conduct consultations because of information in the newspaper about land being taken away.
Katonitabua also confirmed that he had informed his line Minister verbally about his complaint about the article and the Minister approved the complaint.
Fiji Times Limited, Publisher Hank Arts and Contributor, Josaia Waqabaca have pleaded not guilty to sedition while Fiji Times Editor Fred Wesley and Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula have pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting sedition.
It is alleged that Fiji Times printed the Nai Lalakai newspaper which contained an article which had content with a seditious intention to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between classes of the population.
The case continues before High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.
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