Vuwani situation to normalise on Monday?

The situation at Vuwani can return to normality soon, after four Ministers met with Khosikhulu Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, senior traditional leaders from the affected area and different structures at the King’s kraal in Dzanani on Tuesday. As negotiations had reportedly gone well, the matter of bail for the accused in the public violence cases might be the stumbling block. (Read more about the matter of bail for the accused here).

The four Ministers who met with the King are Michael Masutha (justice and constitutional development), Nathi Nhleko (police), David Mahlobo (state security) and Des van Rooyen (co-operative governance).

Life has come to a standstill in Vuwani, with services as well as schooling and business operations remaining suspended in Vuwani and surrounding villages. The month-long protest action has seen schooling suspended because residents do not want their areas to be included into a new municipality in the Vhembe region. Community members are protesting against their inclusion into the new Malamulele council instead of the Makhado Municipality.

Residents want the municipal demarcation board to reverse the decision to remove them from the Makhado Municipality and include them in a new municipality. At least 24 schools have been torched or vandalised by the protesters and pupils are roaming in the streets of the different villages. Businesses and government offices are still shut down, with the police continuing to maintain a strong presence in the area.

After the meeting, Justice Minister Michael Masutha said an increasing number of pupils, parents and teachers wanted to resume with teaching in the area. Mr Mahlobo added that the inter-ministerial team on Vuwani had made significant progress in ensuring that normality was slowly being restored in the area. Mahlobo says there were still other areas of concern that needed to be looked at. “We think significant progress has been made and there is still some work that needs to be done, but there are other areas where we are still struggling.” He also applauded the commitment shown by traditional leaders that the time that pupils had lost should be regained.

Some community structures in Vuwani say the shutdown of services will only be suspended if the 18 arrested residents are released on bail. One of the residents, who wants to remain anonymous, said they had met with the King and were pleading with the police to stop harassing them.

"What was agreed upon was that we requested the King to help the negotiations. There are some of conditions that we have submitted to him to engage with the office of the ministers involved. We will not suspend the shutdown if there are people who are still in custody and will be denied bail. Secondly, we want to see the police stop harassing people, especially in the Vyeboom area, because that is where they are using extensive force."

Date:06 June 2016

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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