Government leaders meet over situation in Vuwani
Various Cabinet ministers and local government leaders made their way to Thohoyandou in Limpopo late yesterday to intervene in the current situation in Vuwani as a result of a demarcation issue.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Des van Rooyen led the delegation that visited the area late on Thursday to meet with community leaders over their anger about a newly established municipality.
Residents are adamant that they want to have their own municipality and have torched various schools in the area since Monday.
Minister van Rooyen said that they were busy assessing the damage caused to at least 23 schools that have been set alight.
Van Rooyen also urged members of the community to assist police in protecting property, which has lead to community patrol groups now keeping a watchful eye on schools that have not been damaged.
Deputy police minister, Maggie Sotyu said that the burning of schools had elements of organised crime and that additional public order police officers have been deployed to assist in arresting those responsible.
By late Thrusday night, 12 suspects were arrested, with police saying more arrests were imminent.
MEC of Coorperative governance in Limpopo, Makoma Makhurupetja slammed rumours of tribalism lurking in Vuwani and neighbouring villages.
She said that the province was a peace loving one.