Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has appealed to the community of Vuwani to go out and use their democratic right to vote tomorrow.
Earlier this year, the country saw horrific scenes unfolding in Vuwani, in the Vhembe district, with the torching of and damaging of 27 schools.
On Tuesday, the President spoke to King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana and both agreed on the need to ensure lasting peace and stability in Vuwani.
Government has put in place an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) made up of ministers who embarked on an extensive engagement programme.
This led to the signing of an agreement signed between government and community stakeholders aimed at normalising the situation in that community.
President Zuma has welcomed the agreement and was confident that this agreement will go a long way in normalising the situation in the entire district and afford communities an opportunity to have access to all services that the violence in the area deprived them.
"The signing of the agreement indicates our commitment to continue working together to resolve any issues.
“We commend the matured and insightful leadership demonstrated by all stakeholders… I am delighted that all stakeholders recognised that no lasting solution to the deep divisions in this community can happen without open dialogue and hard work between different parties to find a workable solution,” the President said.
President Zuma committed that government will continue to dialogue even beyond the 3rd of August 2016 Local Government Elections.
“Our commitment as government to continue to dialogue will go a long way in providing a lasting solution that addresses the concerns of the communities. The Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will continue to lead government engagements with the communities and their representatives.
“As government we are confident that we will have peaceful local government elections, even in Vuwani, Vhembe district,” said President Zuma.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has reiterated that Wednesday, the day of the 2016 Municipal Elections, is a public holiday.
President Zuma declared 3 August 2016 a public holiday in order to enable all eligible voters the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.
The public holiday has been published in the Government Gazette.
President Zuma has urged all employers to allow workers to go and vote. - SAnews.gov.za
