Justice Minister says appointment of President, VP and Judges of the LTC, revoked when the LTA 2020 was enforced

The Minister of Justice and Courts Administration Matamua Vasati Pulufana says the appointment of the President, Vice President and Judges of the LTC under the Lands and Titles Act 1981 a repealed act, were all revoked on 15 March, 2021 when the LTA 2020 was enforced.

She noted this was brought to her attention hence the concerns raised in her letter dated 15, February, obtained by Radio Polynesia, prior to the response by the President of the LTC Fepuela’i Fepulea’i Atilla Ropati which was aired on the morning bulletin.

Minister Matamua wrote to Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Aumua Ronnie Fereti regarding the ceasing of all court proceedings of the LTC due to the “serious issues” with the Land and titles Act, 2020.

Matamua noted the Parliamentary Special Committee has been tasked to consider inconsistencies in the different versions of the Constitution Amendments Act 2020 and the Lands and Titles Act 2020, hence the move to postponed LTC proceedings.

“As the issues adversely affect the validity of all authorities and actions which have been exercised by the President, Vice President and all Judges of the LTC since March 2021 and the impact of those authorities and actions albeit inadvertently.”

The Minister noted she was aware of the difficulties which the LTC is facing to implement of the LTA 2020 in its current form since no regulations have been made fully and effectively implement the LTA 2020 such as no prescribed forms and fees for appeals.

In response the President of the LTC Fepuela’i Fepulea’i Atilla Ropati questioned the legitimacy of the Government’s latest action to “revoke” his appointment along with Judges of the LTC.

He also the record straight noting his “disagreement” to suspend the proceedings of the Lands and Titles Court.

However due to the lack of support staff, after being “instructed and staff alleged “warned” to refrain from associating with LTC activities “a clear indication that the work of the LTC is being sabotaged” he was forced to “adjourn matters” of the LTC.