Vuwani MDB case continues in Limpopo High Court
Judge president of the Limpopo High Court, Ephraim Makgoba is expected to give a verdict on whether proper procedures were followed when the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) put Vuwani under the newly formed municipality.
POLOKWANE – The Pro-Makhado Group appeared in the Limpopo High Court yesterday.
Representing the group, Adv Allen Liversage told the court that the consultation process with the affected communities was flawed.
He said 42 000 residents were not consulted when the decision to form a new municipality was taken last year.
Liversage further said the former cooperative governance and traditional affairs (COGTA) minister, Pravin Gordhan invited traditional leaders to a meeting in Thohoyandou in 2014, which did not have an agenda.
“There was no specific topic of establishing the new municipality. Traditional leaders just went there as it was a minister’s invitation,” said Liversage.
Representing the state, Adv Andrew Redding said traditional leaders, including Chief Nthumeni Masia were contacted during the process of establishing the new municipality.
He said several meetings were held with stakeholders in Makhado and Thohoyandou. “We followed the process and I don’t know why the Masia Traditional Authority is still unhappy with the process.
Masia said he was worried about reports of members of the Pro-Makhado Group being shot with rubber bullets during a scuffle with the police.
Nine members were rushed to the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital, but only eight were discharged.
The case proceeds today.
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