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The angry marchers display the names of the so-called "sell-outs" who are alleged to have received bribes to influence people to be part of the new setup.

“We are not part of Malamulele!”

 

Residents from the villages around the Vuwani area say they will not rest until their demand not to be incorporated in the proposed new municipality in Vhembe is heard. They also threatened a total shutdown in Vuwani if their demands are not met.

This transpired during a march where thousands from the Vuwani area handed over a memorandum detailing their grievances to Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba, who received the memorandum on behalf of Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha, who is said to be visiting China.

Singing anti-Malamulele and struggle songs, the huge crowd waited for hours as they stated in no uncertain terms that they would not allow any local leader except from the province to accept their memorandum. The police battled to control the huge crowd until Ramathuba arrived in a police hippo.

The protest stems from an announcement by the municipal demarcation board earlier this month that a proposed municipality for Vhembe would replace that of Mutale. The new municipality will include Malamulele, whose residents made it clear that they want their own municipality separate from Thulamela and parts of the Vuwani area, Mulenzhe and the Tshikonelo area.

The announcement was well-received by the people of Malamulele, while sections of the community in Vuwani have a different view. Five traditional leaders have already indicated their unwillingness to be part of the proposed setup.

Handing over the memorandum, Pro-Makhado Demarcation Task Team chairperson Avhapfani Mudau said the new setup was a political ploy by the powers that be who wanted to win the hearts of the Malamulele people at their expense. “We have taken a conscious decision and we will not be part of Malamulele; we are right where we are in Makhado. What is surprising is that we were never consulted when this thing started, but we are now being used to justify an unjust cause for people to gain their municipality,” he said.

He said the government should practice what it preaches and not dictate to the residents. Traditional leader Thovhele Nthumeni Masia said they stood by the earlier decision by the same municipal demarcation board that said Malamulele would not be economically viable. “We are not saying we are getting the best service at Makhado, but we cannot be part of something that is unknown to us; we are right here where we are,” he said.

Receiving the memorandum, Ramathuba said the residents should not confuse the proposal with a final decision by the board. “Communities still have a window open for them to submit objections or confirm the proposal. Please make use of this opportunity to voice your objections,” she said.

Government was given 20 days to respond to the memorandum or expect a total shutdown in Vuwani.

Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba signs the memorandum during the march. Witnessing the signing are Vhembe Mayor Tshitereke Matibe (right) and Pro-Makhado Demarcation Task Team chairperson Mr Avhapfani Mudau (left).

Part of the huge crowd that participated in the march.

 A stand-off occurred between the police and the impatient crowd that waited for MEC Ramathuba to accept their memorandum.

Police struggle to control the huge crowd at the entrance to the municipal offices in Vuwani.

Chief Norman Ntsieni Netshimbupfe signs on behalf of traditional leaders in the Vuwani area. Also in the photograph are Thovhele Nthumeni Masia, Chief Nkhipiteni Matsila and Mr Avhapfani Mudau of the Pro Makhado Demarcation Task Team.

 

Date:27 July 2015

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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