VUWANI PROTESTS: situation returned to normal
According to the police everything had now returned to normal and some roads have also been reopened.
LIMPOPO – Vuwani, outside Thohoyandou, where locals looted shops and damaged several police vehicles, was relatively quiet yesterday reports The Citizen on Tuesday.
This after the total shutdown of services by disgruntled residents was called off on Sunday. Livid residents took to the streets, demanding that the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), reverse a decision which could see Vuwani merged with other areas such as Malamulele to form a new municipality.
Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, community leader, Arnold Mulaudzi said the decision to call off the protest action followed an intervention by deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed, listened to and spoke to locals.
“We all agreed that the decision by the MDB will have to be set aside and that an investigation into whether there was political interference would have to be conducted within 30 days.
“Our traditional leaders have also filed court papers in a bid to interdict the MDB’s decision,” said Mulaudzi.
He said they will now await the outcome of the investigations. Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer, Elijah Malatjie, said everything had now returned to normal as some roads have also been reopened.
“The main road between Elim and Vuwani, going pass Malamulele, has also been opened to traffic,” Malatjie said. Meanwhile, the protest resulted in matriculants missing out on some of their trial examinations, while taxis and buses were not allowed to operate.
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