Vuwani rejoices after two residents get bail

Violence flares up again over demarcation row

The community of Vuwani celebrated a minor victory yesterday after two residents who were arrested when the area was recently shut down again were granted bail.

They were released by the Malamulele Magistrate’s court near Giyani .

Takalani Mulaudzi, 29, was granted R500 bail while Thapelo Ngwana, 26, was released on free bail.

They were charged with incitement to commit public violence and malicious damage to property.

They were arrested after they were allegedly found throwing stones at passing vehicles after shutdowns in the area were reignited because of disputes over demarcation issues.

This followed the refusal by the Municipal Demarcation Board to reverse its initial decision to include parts of Makhado municipality into the newly formed Lim 345 municipality.

Municipal services and businesses in the area remained closed yesterday.

Recent demonstrations, however, have been peaceful compared to last year’s protests which resulted in the destruction of about 30 schools.

Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the situation in the area was calm.

“From last night until this morning, the situation in that area was relatively quiet with no reported incidents except sporadic throwing of stones at passing vehicles which was addressed immediately through prompt reaction by the police,” Ngoepe said.

Yesterday, spokesman for the ProMakhado demarcation task team, Nsovo Sambo, said the community was happy that the two were granted bail.

“We are definitely satisfied. We expected this. The situation remains calm and the community has indicated that they want to stay away from everything,” Sambo said.

On Sunday police stopped residents from holding a mass meeting at the Nandoni Dam, saying that the gathering was illegal.

Community leaders had made efforts to forward an application for permission to hold mass demonstrations in line with the South African Gatherings Act.

Sambo said they were waiting to get an update on whether or not they would be granted permission.

On Monday, the provincial government said it was open to mending relations with the community following an earlier statement from traditional leaders that they no longer wished to work with government.

Yesterday, Sambo said community leaders stood firm on that decision.

The situation in that area was quiet last night with no reported incidents except sporadic stone throwing at passing cars