The biggest village in Vanuatu is engulfed in a traditional chiefly dispute.
The Daily Post reports that Chief Simeon Poilapa, who is the son of the late paramount chief, disagrees with 13 caretaker chiefs of Mele, who applied for a stay order of his ordination which will be heard on March 16.
Chief Poilapa claims he was ordained in line with Efate custom law practices and both the Efate Island Court and the Supreme Court have recognised the process.
However Chief Marik Namata argues that when the Supreme Court referred his stay order to be heard in the Magistrate Court, it also meant the ordination of Chief Poilapa was null and void.
