Ainu’u Denies Banishment From Sapapali’i, Vows Legal Action Over Viral Video
Maota o Viiga co-host Ainu’u Iliganoa Litia Tauamaile Savaiinaea has denied claims that she has been banished from her village of Sapapali’i.
Ainu’u took the TV1 microphone when asked by media outside the Supreme Court of Samoa this morning. She vehemently deinied that she was banished from Sapapalii, saying everything had been sorted with her family.
A video showing senior village matai of Sapapalii handing down a banishment against Ainuu has been widely circulated on social media.
The video showed the cultural process of tū le tootoo, a formal message of banishment being delivered by a matai.
The video shows a village matai conveying that the decision was based on what the village described as disrespectful and offensive language used during their online programme.
According to the matai, Ainu’u’s remarks had brought shame not only on the village but also on the country and the Malietoa title.
“Ua ka’uvalea le aiga, le nu’u, ka’uvalea le Malietoa… e lē faia e se suli o Malietoa ni upu faapena… ae tauvalea ai le Malietoa..’
Sapapali’i is the traditional seat of the current holder of the Malietoa title, while the Ainu’u title is one of the chiefly titles of the Malietoa family.
However, speaking to reporters after appearing in the District Court today, Ainu’u firmly rejected the claims that she had been banished from Sapapali’i.
“O la’u afioga mamalu a lenei, o la’u susuga a lenei o Ainu’u Iliganoa Litia Tauamaile Savaiinaea. O lea lava ou te iai i le matou afioga o Sapapalii.”
She said matters relating to the Ainu’u title and the Malietoa family had already been settled within the family and outsiders had no business to interfere.
“Ua uma ona teuteu mea a matou aiga, Sa Ainu’u. E leai se feau a isi tagata e aiā mai fua i mea a le aiga Sa Ainu’u ma Malietoa.”
Ainu’u also maintained that she remains a member of Sapapali’i.
“O la’u afioga poo la’u susuga, o lea lava ou te iai i lo matou nu’u..”
Ainu’u added that she intends to take legal action against the individual who made what she describes as rude comments towards her.
“Mea ia e tuu i luga o upega tafailagi, o lea o le a ou laalaa i le Ofisa o le Faamasinoga e molia sa’o ai lē na ia tautala lē mafaufau i la’u susuga.”
Ainu’u and her husband, Toleafoa Saia Toleafoa, are co-hosts of the pro Opposition online programme Maota o Viiga.
The pair had faced defamation charges before the District Court, based on a complaint by NZ broadcaster Asiata Pio Vaoliko.
In Court today, charges were dropped after Prosecution declared they could not proceed with the case because the complainant, Asiata, could not travel to Samoa to give evidence.
Asiata himself may face defamation from complaints of defamation against him from information shared on his own podcast.
Alofa Grace is an Intern Reporter and Photographer with Samoa Global News. Alofa Grace is passionate about sharing stories and capturing real moments. She is a graduate of Maluafou College and hopes to continue a career as a Journalist.
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