Although the Vuwani shutdown was uplifted a few weeks back, some families still face the aftermath.
Makungo Munyai’s house in Masakona village was burnt down by protesting residents from Vuwani and surrounding areas in July 2016, after allegations by community members that he was part of those that were advocating for the establishment of LIM 345 municipality.
In an exclusive interview with Pride News, Munyai narrates the unfolding of events when his house was burnt down by an angry mob of residents.
“It was late night when I got a tip-off from someone, saying they (residents) wanted to kill me and my family and that parts of my house were already in flames.”
While the Police managed to rescue Munyai and his family, contents of the house could not be saved as everyone rushed out of the house with only the clothes they were wearing.
With damages estimated at R1 000 000, Munyai says, “I’m still going through the recovery process from the pain caused when my house burnt down. What still bothers me is that, I have done nothing wrong and I am still stunned at what happened.”
Munyai and his family have been staying at an undisclosed location.
“If there’s anyone willing to help us with any kind of assistance, it will be highly appreciated. We have never received any kind of help ever since the incident,” pleads Munyai.
Addressing community members after the protest, Vhembe Executive Mayor, Florence Radzilani says, “As a municipality, we knew of people whose houses were burnt down, but at that time, there was nothing we could do to help as our main focus was the protest. We can now sit and see what needs to be done on the issue.”
The Vuwani shutdown was lifted after the community leadership reached an agreement with the Limpopo inter-ministerial committee that all services around Vuwani and surrounding areas will be rendered by the district municipality as president Jacob Zuma pronounced earlier this year.
Vuwani residents started protesting in 2015 after the municipal board took a decision to incorporate them under a new municipality. Infrastructure, including more than 25 schools were vandalised.
