LIMPOPO – According to the Spokesperson of the Pro-Makhado Municipal Task Team, the residents marched out of frustration of being demarcated, service wise, under the newly formed Lim 345 Municipality, a merger between Malamulele, Vuwani and Hlanganani.
The residents prefer to be serviced by the Vhembe District Municipality, a decision endorsed and communicated by the Vhavenda King, Tony Mphephu Ramabulana, to president Jacob Zuma, or to return back to Makhado Municipality.
“As a community we have resolved to suspend all services until our demands are met. We were not consulted about the merger municipality.
“We don’t want anything to do with it.
“We want to go back to Makhado Municipality where we were getting better services or to get our services from Vhembe District,” said Sambo.
A public participation meeting was held by the Municipal Demarcation board in 2015 where communities of Malamulele, Vuwani and Hlanganani agreed to have a fourth municipality under Vhembe District, which is Makhado Municipality, Thulamela Municipality, Musina Municipality and the merger municipality which will be called Collins Chabane Municipality.
Four of the 11 villages in Vuwani prefer not be serviced by the newly formed municipality.
During the march, residents sang struggle songs, chanting “100% Pro-Makhado Municipality, 0% Malamulele”.
In 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled against their demands to be incorporated back into Makhado Municipality.
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Limpopo Provincial Government spokesperson, Phuthi Seloba, said even though the president already made the final decision, the provincial and national government including the pro-Makhado Municipality Task Team and Malamulele Task team must work together to find a possible solution.
“We don’t want shortcuts. We want to do things according to the law and avoid a situation where somebody will make an interdict in court.
“We want all stakeholders to sit down and find an amicable solution regarding this issue.
“We also have to allow the Lim 345 and Vhembe District Municipality councils to sit and make a resolution about the matter,” he said.
The Lim 345 council has also resolved to not stand by the decision of Vuwani residents receiving services in Vhembe or going back to Makhado Municipality.
The unrest in Vuwani comes at a time when schools have re-opened, leaving many learners without proper schools to attend as many schools in the area were burnt during the unrest spanning over a year.
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In 2016:
• A total of 27 schools and government buildings were set alight in the area, with the damage estimated at R500 million.
• 29 people were arrested including an ANC councillor and a teacher who was later released on bail.
• Two people have died during the unrest and a house belonging to Pro Malamulele Municipality Task team was set alight.
• During the local government elections, the community boycotted elections to play soccer.
