Transcript
When the government fired Otemai Liu Ausage for his comments in local media, he hadn't even seen the report.
Otemai, who had been mayor of Nofoali'i for just a year, says the move is unfair.
"The village appoints the mayor and now I found out they are not happy with me because of my acting against the government, so now they said, well you are off."
Last week, he told a newspaper his village had lost 180 acres of land to government repossession.
Three days later, he was fired.
A letter from the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development told Otemai his claims of land repossession were unfounded.
The letter said it was no longer appropriate for him to represent and be paid for by the government.
Samoa First party leader, Unasa Iuni Sapolu, says the mayor's sacking could discourage others from speaking out.
"The government's attitude is one of overbearing, dancing to the music of the Chinese and foreign investors, caring less about our people whose lands are being affected. They have never given informed consent."
The mayor's firing comes amid protests and a public outcry over the alienation of customary land.
Last year, an advocacy group filed a lawsuit against Samoan Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, over the Land Titles Registration Act.
In January, Tuilaepa dismissed claims the act was being misused to seize land as "fake news".
Fesola'i Aleni Sofara, a law lecturer at the National University of Samoa, says everyone in Samoa has the freedom to speak their mind.
But he says village mayors are expected to be loyal to the government.
"Anyone has the freedom of speech to speak out and freedom of expression in what they feel, whether they like it or dislike it, whether they support it or don't support it, but if you are appointed by the government and paid by the government, it is a position where you have to be very cautious on it."
The former mayor, Otemai, says he's been a government employee for 20 years but will retire after his dismissal.
"I'm old now so I better stay with my grandchildren and serve my village, the village council."
The Nofoali'i village council is yet to appoint a new mayor but will meet this week.
This is Mackenzie Smith.
