Protests mean no grants for them
APPROXIMATELY 13 000 Malamulele people did not receive their social grants due to the ongoing protests that started again at the beginning of January, which also saw all business being brought to a halt indefinitely.
MALAMULELE – APPROXIMATELY 13 000 Malamulele people did not receive their social grants due to the ongoing protests that started again at the beginning of January, which also saw all business being brought to a halt indefinitely.
This was disclosed by social development minister Bathabile Dlamini during a visit to Malamulele with cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister Pravin Gordhan, police minister Nkosinathi Nhleko, premier Stanley Mathabatha and cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs MEC Makoma Makhurupetje on Sunday.
Dlamini said the shutting down of the government offices in Malamulele was affecting elderly people and mothers negatively as they were unable to collect their grants. She appealed to the people of Malamulele to allow business to go on as usual, as the shutdown was causing innocent people to suffer.
Gordhan said it was important for the Malamulele residents to listen and understand government’s position. “We must learn how to engage each other in a democratic society. Fighting each other cannot solve the problem. The demarcation board is finalising its investigations and will come back with a solution soon. We would like to see normality this week. Schoolchildren should go to school without anyone disturbing them. Why should we sacrifice our children’s education? Why should we stop people from getting their social grants? Who is benefiting out of that?” he questioned.
Long distance taxis and buses were also affected, as local taxis were not bringing commuters to the bus terminal in Malamulele. Some residents said they were now forced to travel to Giyani and Thohoyandou to buy basic amenities as all the shops were closed.
Malamulele task team spokesperson, Dr Isaiah Ndhambi agreed that he would try to make peace in the area. However, he said the delegation would be aware that residents were extremely angry. “It will be a punishment if we don’t get our own municipality,” Ndhambi said.
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