Davhana – A Ministerial Task Team set up to quell the violent protests in Limpopo has met with the community to facilitate dialogue among residents and government leaders.
The meeting was held on Thursday in Ha-Davhana outside Vuwani, in Limpopo. Twenty-four schools have been torched, while four others have been damaged in Vuwani by irate residents during protests that are reportedly over issues of demarcation.
Residents of nearby Malamulele had for years asked for their area to be detached from Thulamela Local Municipality. Their request was granted after years of protests, despite the Municipal Demarcation Board having initially said a municipality for Malamulele would not be viable.
Tensions in Vuwani simmered when residents learnt that their area would be incorporated into the new municipality with Malamulele. Violent protests erupted after residents lost a court case to have the area reinstated under Makhado Local Municipality.
The court ruling paved the way for the new proposed Malamulele Municipality -- which will incorporate Tshikonelo, Vuwani and other surrounding villages such as Tshimbupfe, Vyeboom, Davhana, Masia and Mashau villages.
Protesting residents want the decision of the Municipal Demarcation Board to be reversed. Vuwani has been declared a disaster area following the razing of schools, and while calm has been restored in a number of villages, including Vuwani location, public transport services and businesses remained closed.
At the meeting on Thursday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen -- who is leading the task team -- said: “As government, we will work with residents of Ha-Davhana to develop the area.
“We can’t afford the destruction of schools and infrastructure. We are a government that promotes dialogue and peace.”
Claims have also been made that the protests are fuelled by tribalism.
State Security Minister David Mahlobo, who is also part of the meeting, attended by Communications Minister Faith Muthambi, strongly condemned this.
“As South Africans, we buried tribalism more than 100 years ago so we cannot defend people who are promoting tribalism… and fuelling others to break the law (sic). Whether you are a comrade or traditional leader, if you are breaking the law of our country, we will arrest you,” said Minister Mahlobo.
On Wednesday, Minister Mahlobo -- joined by the Mayor of Makhado -- removed the barricades used by residents to bar motorists from accessing their respective villages.
Residents speak out
Residents present at the meeting used the platform to call for calm.
Community leader Taki Tshishonga said there were residents who were in support of the formation of the new municipality.
“All the villages in Davhana -- Balanganani, Mahandana, Mabidi, Sundani, Tshirululuni, Bofu la Mato and Ramaligela -- want to form part of the proposed new municipality and these villages comprise both Vhavenda and Vatsonga speaking people.” - SAnews.gov.za
