A family at Port Moresby’s Gerehu suburb was evicted for the second time in two years. Family members say their title papers are with the National Housing Corporation with no transfer of land titles to any party.
The eviction took place hours after Housing Minister John Kaupa announced his stop eviction directive for all NHC properties in Port Moresby recently.
After spending three nights outside their home and refuge of nearly 40 years, Gerehu police have directed the Hereha family to cut the lock to their gate.
Late yesterday afternoon the Herehas walked into their yard to see their three homes flattened on the ground.
The Herehas believe the land title has been sold to a third party by NHC officers. They say NHC management and new Housing Minister John Kaupa must explain what has happened to their land title.
“We want Minister John Kaupa and NHC Management to come and explain to us what has transpired with our land title given to someone else,” said Margaret Hereha.
Gerehu Police Station Commander Inspector Robert Kurei also condemned the actions by the three policemen who assisted in the eviction last Friday.
The eviction has been reported to the Office of Police Commissioner Gari Baki.
“We have about three or four other illegal evictions being reported at Gerehu Police Station which a similar eviction was carried out by policemen from other Stations rather than Gerehu,” said Inspector Kurei.
“I have not received any directive from the NCD Metropolitan and these actions by these policemen are condemned,” said Inspector Kurei.
The Gerehu 3B neighbourhood is also frustrated by the actions of the assumed landlord who has demolished all properties belonging to the Hereha family.
The Hereha family have occupied the property since 1975.
The family is currently housed by a church elder from the Seventh-Day Church who lives in the same neighbourhood at Gerehu’s 3B area.
