A Land Issue in Sandhill; Woman Says She is the Rightful Owner

Over the years, we have reported on a number of stories about land issues. Often times, there are more than one persons claiming ownership of a piece of land and tonight that’s exactly what is happening with a one-acre lot in Sandhill Village.  A woman claims a parcel of land has been in her family for decades, but in recent years, she says that other persons have been trespassing. A few weeks ago, a ‘for sale’ sign was posted on her land because there is someone else who claims to own the property. Reporter Andrea Polanco spoke with Rosita Meneses about her land issue.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

Rosita Meneses says that this one acre at mile seventeen in Sandhill Village has been in her family since 1950’s. To prove this land is hers, Meneses produced this document. It shows that the land was granted to her grandfather back in 1952. She says ever since then her family has worked that piece of land and according to this tax statement – the property is in good standing.  Her grandfather later passed the land down to his son and when his son passed in 2014, his daughter Rosita became the administrator. A map of the area bearing a survey and lands stamp shows that the lot is under the name Meneses with the year 1952.

Rosita Meneses

Rosita Meneses, Landowner

“Well, this land has been there for generations since my grandfather was there. He passed it to my father and now I own the land with my siblings; two of my siblings. What I really want for people to know is that this land is not an abandoned land. This land is up to date with all the taxes paid. I have the papers and everything is in order.”

So, why is Meneses fighting to prove that the land belong to her family? Well several weeks ago, this for sale sign was planted on her land. According to Meneses, there is a man in the U.S.A who claims title to this land. He now wants to sell it.  Meneses has reached out to the real estate agent and they have since removed the sign. But that won’t stop the other person with a claim to this land. When we visited the area, neighbours told us that in recent years as many as three or four different persons have visited the land claiming to have title for the one acre. But Menses maintains the property belongs to her family.

Rosita Meneses

“Someone is selling my land. I heard there that they have been selling this land for quite some time for people outside. I don’t know what kind of papers these persons are presenting to them.”

Andrea Polanco

“And you’ve checked with the lands department – you are the only person with a property title for that piece of land?”

Rosita Meneses

“Well, I know I am the only person but I have to go back and check again because I have the testament that my grandfather left to my father and I have all the original ones.  If they see the land unoccupied that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an owner. This land has an owner. So, please residents of Sandhill, if you are listening and there are people outside trying to buy this land for which you don’t have adequate papers, you will lose your money right there.”

Meneses also alleges that people in the area have cut down her trees and damaged her land. She says that she hasn’t been able to put a stop to it.

Rosita Meneses

“I just want these people especially from Sandhill to please stop damaging my property. I have seen a lot of damage and I don’t want this land to be damaged anymore. They cut down the trees; they burn it up. They bring down the fence. I put up a sign that says trespassers will prosecuted and I put a private property sign there and they bring it down and they burn the place. I have gone to police in Ladyville and they say I don’t have to worry about it because they are clearing my land and doing me a favour helping me out. But that is not a favour that is destroying it.  I am walking in ashes as if I am walking inside the milpa.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.

This week, Meneses visited the Lands Department and she says they have confirmed the authenticity of her documents. She says she was told that they will be doing a search of their archives to determine if any other documents have been lodged for the same property. She has since retained the services of a lawyer.