Pretoria - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen says government has been holding extensive dialoguing sessions with role players in Vuwani, in Limpopo, to curb further incidents of violence in the area due to the issue of demarcation.
He was speaking to media on the side lines at the launch of the National Results Operations Centre (ROC), in Pretoria.
The Minister said traditional leaders and religious sector will on Thursday provide government with an update on progress that they have made from their side to achieve amicable resolution regarding the matter, as well as the discussions they have held with their constituencies.
The Minister said incidents of violence that led government to declaring certain areas as hotspots are not restricted to Vuwani but it is usually a norm when election time approaches.
He said government through the Security Cluster has partnered with community sectors including faith based organisations, traditional leaders, amongst others, to find solutions to these challenges.
To beef up security in hotspot areas during the elections, the Minister said more resources will be committed and focused in those areas.
However, the Minister said government has received positive feedback from stakeholders that majority of residents in Vuwani and other areas will abide by the law and are willing to participate in the elections.
He also said all sectors have expressed concerns over violence that took place recently, “and they are calling on their fellow constituents to be part of government’s plan.
“It seems as if we still have few elements in society who are not abiding to this particular process. That is where our focus is for now.
“Traditional leaders have requested time to engage with few elements that might not be happy with what government has tabled to the community, but majority of our people are willing to comply and to cooperate in ensuring that we implement government’s action plan,” said the Minister. - SAnews.gov.za
