The pro-Makhado task team which has led protests in Vuwani has called off a planned march for residents to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to ensure that learners busy with final examinations don’t experience further disruptions and to give the new MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Jerry Ndou, time to deal with the demarcation dispute.
Vuwani residents, led by the pro-Makhado task team were due to hand over a memorandum to the office of the Presidency on Tuesday, 7 November 2017, protesting over the withdrawal of services rendered by Vhembe District municipality in their area.
Limpopo government provincial spokesperson, Phuti Seloba has welcomed the withdrawal of the planned march, “We are more appreciative that the march has been suspended to give learners a chance to write their final exams. We are still saying our doors are open and we are willing to resolve the Vuwani issue within the law,” he says.
Vuwani residents opposing the area’s incorporation into the newly established LIM 345 municipality with Malamulele argue that an agreement announced by President Jacob Zuma in May has not been implemented.
In May, Zuma and VhaVenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana announced that the Vhembe District Municipality should provide services in Vuwani while a solution was being sought for the demarcation dispute.
Several protests have been held in the area since then, with protest leaders accusing the provincial government of dragging its feet in implementing the decision.
The latest shutdown was lifted with just over 20 days to the start of the National Senior Certificate examinations for Grade 12 learners that are currently underway.
In a press statement, the pro-Makhado task team says, “subsequent to the suspension of the shutdown, the government withdrew the services of the regional municipal office, and it is contrary to the commitment which was made between the government, South African Human Rights Commission and Pro-Makhado task team”.
The task team went on to blame former CoGHSTA MEC Makoma Makhurupetje for failing to resolve the impasse, welcoming her redeployment in the recent provincial cabinet reshuffle.
