Vuwani on ‘total shutdown’ (again)
Thousands of public order police are patrolling the streets of Vuwani after the Pro-Makhado Group launched another total shutdown of services in the area.
LIMPOPO – The shutdown started on Monday after the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) issued a statement saying the Vuwani demarcation matter had been settled, effectively meaning the area now resorts under the newly formed Lim 345 municipality.
Spokesperson for the Pro-Makhado, Ntsovo Sambo said senior traditional leaders embarked on a journey of endless engagements and meetings with government and politicians to find a lasting solution regarding the Vuwani demarcation impasse.
“Residents of Vuwani warned about the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding as it was an act of desperation and a campaigning tool for the election. Through government and political promise and acts of commitment at the time, they entered into an agreement without legal recourse despite being advised not to sign by communities. It is a day like this, where we should open up and speak without fear, favour and prejudice. The residents of Vuwani are today saddened, undermined and deprived of their rights which are enshrined within the Constitution. Government exposed itself to be a self-serving government,” he said.
“The Municipal Demarcation Board’s rejection of the call of the People of Vuwani to re-determine the boundaries from LIM 345 to Makhado and Thulamela is based on arrogance, stubbornness and self-serving interests.
The people of Vuwani and the nation as a whole were made to believe that the possibility for their call existed. This rejection stripped our senior traditional leaders, the King Mphephu Ramabulana and the people of Vuwani and surroundings of their reputation, dignity and integrity,” he said.
Due to the government commitment during the time of the Vuwani crisis, he asserted, the communities were made to believe and hope for the possibilities, “during the engagement of the inter-ministerial committee the programme, timeline and workframe were outlined which the MDB’s response is contrary to its effect.
“Upon receiving the briefing from senior traditional leaders, the Pro Makhado Demarcation Task Team began the process of engaging the communities to report about the outcomes, consult and seek new mandate. The Pro Makhado Forum, resolved to terminate its relationship with the unfaithful government, uphold the resolution of rejecting services from Lim 345,” he said.
“The rejection further exposes the lack of political leadership which resulted in the leadership vacuum within the government due to factionalism in the ruling party. In this regard the people of Vuwani became the scapegoats within factions.
The government should be reminded that democracy is the will of the people, by the people for the people. The government and its organs of state should be reminded by the words of wisdom from our late struggle stalwart, Ahmed Kathrada, when he said, “Freedom did not fall from the sky, it was fought for with blood, sweat and tears”.
Limpopo Government Spokesperson, Phuti Seloba said they were going to negotiate with the people of Vuwani, “so that what happened in the past shouldn’t happen again”.
