Toki’ukamea Liutai, a former Lo’au University student who withdrew shortly after enrolling, has condemned remarks made by the university’s dean, Dr Siosiua Lafitani, describing them as racist, derogatory, and potentially defamatory.
Lafitani is also facing accusations of harassment and doxing after he reportedly called Liutai a fool (“vale”) and published his personal details online amid a dispute over tuition fees.
The dean has been accused of malice and intent to harm Liutai, who is also known by his legal name, Marshall Cameron.
Liutai’s condemnation follows claims by Lafitani that unidentified groups in Sydney contacted him, offering to assault Liutai physically.
Liutai, who withdrew from a course he had enrolled in after raising concerns about its quality, delivery, and the apparent non-registration of Lo’au University, was stunned when Lafitani shared private details about him and his family on social media—seemingly in retaliation for his withdrawal.
In his series of derogatory Facebook posts, including his recent appearance on the VPON media show, Lafitani acknowledged that his information regarding Liutai’s private life was sourced from Lo’au University’s records, which contained details Liutai had personally shared with the institution.
In Tongan he said: “Kuo malava ke ‘osi ma’u mei he talanoa pe a e Lo’au mo Marshall pea mo e ngaahi lekooti kuo ma’u mei he fakatotolo ni.”
However, Liutai warned that the remarks may constitute a defamatory offence under Australian law.
READ MORE:
- Dr Lafitani refunds fees after student engages lawyer over course quality and alleged academic fraud
- Lawyer Tupou accuses Prof Lafitani of lying about Tonga’s democracy and questions his knowledge of law and the status of Lo’au University
- EDITORIAL: Professor Lafitani continues to attack Kaniva News, but his claims that Tonga’s political reforms in 2010 were not a change for democracy are a lie
- Academic accusations fly as controversial Lo’au University denies fraud allegations
“The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA) is a federal law in Australia that makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, or immigrant status,” Liutai told Kaniva News.
He said: “RDA protects people from racial discrimination in areas like employment, education, housing, and the use of public services and places.
It also makes racial hatred, which is defined as acts that are reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate, or intimidate based on race, unlawful.”
Tuition Dispute Sparks Conflict
The conflict escalated after Liutai engaged Auckland-based Tongan lawyer Nalesoni Tupou last month to help him reclaim AU$2,200 in tuition fees he had paid to Lafitani. The fee was eventually refunded.
Liutai said that instead of addressing the matter professionally, Lafitani took to social media, accusing him of defamation and threats—allegations Liutai strongly denies.
In a September 20 Tongan-language Facebook post published by Lo’au University, Lafitani continued his disparagement of Liutai. The post claimed that Liutai’s record with the university indicated he was not Tongan and had been raised in an orphanage.
In Tongan, he said: “Marshall (Liutai) ko e tokotaha palangi na’e tauhi li’ekina (orphan) ‘ikai ha konga Tonga ‘e taha.”
Lafitani also claimed that the Tongan family who had adopted Liutai had severed ties with him and forcibly removed his wife and children. He said the information he shared was based on details Liutai had disclosed to Lo’au University during a talanoa.
He said in Tongan: “Pea kuo tu’usi hono famili Tonga ne nau pusiaki ‘o ‘ave fakamalohi’i hono mali Tonga mo e fanau koeuhi ko ha ngaahi ‘uhinga kehekehe pe, kuo malava ke ‘osi ma’u mei he talanoa pe a e Lo’au mo Marshall pea mo e ngaahi lekooti kuo ma’u mei he fakatotolo ni.”
Threats of Violence and Fool Slur
In a recent appearance on VPON Media, Lafitani repeatedly referred to Liutai as a fool (“vale”) and claimed that three groups from Sydney had contacted him, saying they were willing to assault Liutai—apparently after viewing Lafitani’s Facebook posts targeting him.
Lafitani alleged that he later met with the groups while in Sydney and advised them in Tongan, “Don’t beat the vale. Leave him to the law and proper process. If you beat him, I and Lo’au will be blamed for inciting it.”
He added, “I do not need to beat the vale.”
In Tongan, Lafitani said:”‘Osi fetu’utaki mai e kulupu ‘e 3 ke nau taa’i e masi’i ‘i Senee. Pea a’u ki he’eku ‘alu atu ‘i he uike kuo ‘osi. Ko ‘eku talatalanoa. Kuo u tala ange ‘oua, ‘oua te mou ala ki he vale ko ia. Tuku pe he ‘e taa’i fakalao, taa’i faka’atamai pe he ee. He kapau te mou taa’i e masi’i ‘e tukuaki’i mai au mo e Lo’au ko au ‘oku ou hanga ‘o hoka. ‘Ikai ke u fiema’u ‘e au ke ta e vale ko ‘ena.”
“Sai ‘atu kotoa ‘a e silini ‘a e vale ko ‘eni, vale ko ‘eni ‘i Senee,” again referring to Liutai as a fool (“vale”) in Sydney, and stating that his money had been returned.
In Tongan Lafitani also said: “Vale ko ‘eni mei Senee. Ko e palangi ka ‘oku te’eki ke ne ‘ilo ‘e ia ‘a e hisitolia ‘o e kakai Tonga mo e kau tama Tonga ‘i Senee.
He was referring to Liutai as “the fool from Sydney”, saying he didn’t understand the history of the Tongan people and how they might respond physically.
Privacy Breach and Accusations
Liutai previously responded by dismissing Lafitani’s remarks, accusing him of attempting to intimidate.
“He miscalculated. I am no fool. I advised him we could proceed to court and I would seek damages, leveraged against his property, should he proceed.”
Liutai was stunned that someone he trusted had shared his personal information, reinforcing concerns he had previously raised with Lafitani before his withdrawal about the institution’s lack of a code of conduct protecting student privacy.
“Clearly, I am white and an orphan. I arrived in a Tongan family who loved me, named me, included me in genealogy and raised me with respect—even though I was white,” said Liutai.
Liutai claimed that Lafitani’s remarks constituted defamation and libel under Australian law, alleging they were made with the intent to damage his reputation.
“And they represent statements that might be considered discriminatory or racist.”
After his withdrawal from Lo’au University Liutai took to Facebook and shared his experience.
“None of my comments on his behaviour have focused on skin colour or cultural identity; rather just the ethics of his conduct,” he said of Lafitani.
A number of reputable academic institutions have established policies governing the handling of personal information and the protection of individual privacy, according to Liutai.
He believes Lafitani’s remarks reflect deeper issues of racial bias.
