A FAMILY of Matanagata in Vatukoula is sheltering in a tent just metres from their home following a court-ordered eviction.
Ajinesh Mudaliar, 38, his wife and three children, aged between three and nine, were evicted from their family home on May 16 after a court ruling on March 25 that they vacate the premises.
Following Mr Mudaliar’s viral social media post detailing their ordeal, people visited him with offers of temporary shelter.
“For one week, my children have not gone to school because of this,” Mr Mudaliar said.
“I have to walk five or 10 minutes to my grandmother’s sister’s house to take a shower, charge my phone and then head back to my tent to sleep and guard my belongings.
“In the morning, I walk back there to shower and have breakfast, then I come back here.”
Mr Mudaliar said his children and wife had since relocated to a family member’s home while he refuses to leave the premises since his family initially lived in the house for 46 years.
He said the dispute between him and his uncle began in 2018, prompting his uncle to institute legal proceedings against him.
“I feel cold sleeping here, but I just wear double-layered clothes to stay warm.
“Yesterday, my kids were hungry, so the neighbours gave me food because all the neighbours know that I’m right.
“Even though my employer, Vatukoula Gold Mines, was giving me shelter to stay in, I said, ‘no’. This is my parents’ house and why should I go and stay there?
“So, they just gave me 12 days unpaid leave to stay here and look after my belongings, then I can go back when everything is sorted.”
Mr Mudaliar said he was also facing financial constraints since he’s still paying off a bank loan he took to cover his legal costs.
He said he had also reached out to Independent Opposition MP Josaia Niudamu for assistance.
“He is away overseas, but we did speak, and we will wait for him to return.”
Questions have been sent to Mr Niudamu and calls were also made regarding possible assistance measures for Mr Mudaliar.
