By Eva Kuson

By Luana Paniu

The Department of Lands and Physical Planning has been given seven days to reconstruct 18 more title files to be submitted to the Commission of Inquiry into the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases.

The files, which are part of the 75 SPABL cases now under investigation by the CoI, were reportedly destroyed or misplaced.

By MT

THE people in the rural areas want the government to thoroughly investigate the issuance of Special Purpose and Agricultural Business Leases (SABL).
 This issue affects more than 90% of the silent majority who live in villagers and remote communities.


These people do not even know that their customary land has been given to corporations with the backing of foreign-owned multi-national corporations. 
I was shocked to learn that over than 300,000ha of customary land in my area was given to a corporate entity.

By Eva Kuson* - Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Today’s hearing carried on from yesterday proceedings in identifying the files brought before the inquiry. Council assisting Simon Ketan made a brief formal opening on the preliminary findings and addressing also the legal issuance of the SABLs. He outlined the statement of case on which the Commission of Inquiry was ordered into the SABL and all matters relating to it.

By Eva Kuson - Monday 15th August 2011

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) has yet again, been postponed to Tuesday 16^th of August 2011, due to unavailability of all information ordered to be presented before the CoI. Last Wednesday, the Commissioners were advised by the Council Assisting, Mr Ketan, that all information will be collected by today (Monday 15^th August 2011) but this has not been forthcoming resulting in the postponement.

By Luana Paniu

Three key people involved in procedures to issue the controversial Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) are the first to appear before the Commission of Inquiry.

Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP) Acting Secretary Romlly Kila Pat, Acting Deputy Secretary, Customary Lands Adrian Abby and the Registrar of Titles Henry Wasa will appear before the CoI next Monday.

By Evah Kuson*

Following on from the preliminary hearing on the Monday 8, August  Simon Ketan has now taken over duties from Davis Stevens as the new Council Assisting for the Commission of Inquiry. Chief Commissioner in his welcoming address thanked Ketan for his willingness to take this role.