MALAMULELE – Angry, violent residents armed with stones were the cause of president Jacob Zuma having to be escorted out of the township by heavily armed police officials on Wednesday.
Residents, who booed Zuma and stoned government vehicles, were expecting Zuma to announce that they would get their own municipality.
However, they were disappointed when Zuma told them he was not a “dictator” and first had to study the documentation and consult with stakeholders in this regard.
He requested residents to be patient, and assured them that this crisis had landed in good hands.
Malamulele task team spokesperson, Isaac Nukeri and chief Magona Nxumalo tried to calm the furious residents and said they should be patient, as the president did want to solve their problem. Nukeri told those present that they should vote for the ANC because it was the only party that liberated the people.
Their pleas were ignored and the people continued to boo Zuma and call him derogatory names.
In the heat of the moment, people were jostling each other, and a young man was manhandled by ANC members for getting too close to Zuma while booing him.
Residents said they will not change their minds about boycotting the election. They said boycotting the election would force the government to respond to their call to have an independent municipality.
In the ensuing melee, residents blocked the main road, threw stones at shops, burnt tyres and ANC T-shirts and threatened journalists.
Business owners closed their stores, as it seemed that the mob intended to start looting them.
The public order police were prepared for action, with armed vehicles and water cannons. No rubber bullets were fired.
Only 4 020 people registered to vote in the Vhembe district, which is the lowest number in the province.
Residents of Malamulele said they did not register to vote. Malamulele currently resorts under the Thulamela Municipality in Thohoyandou, but residents are of the opinion that they should have their own municipality, in order to ensure better services. Residents have had several violent protests over this matter previously, destroying both government and private property in the process.
