Vhavenda king backs Vuwani protesters

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga visited Vuwani where schools were set alight by protesters. Picture: Rumana Akoob

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga visited Vuwani where schools were set alight by protesters. Picture: Rumana Akoob

Published May 6, 2016

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Vuwani - After a closed session with government, Vhavenda King, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said he supported the protests in Vuwani.

He was briefing media at the royal household in Nzhelele after he met with Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs MEC for Limpopo, Makhoma Makurupetje and Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education.

Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education says the current situation is "shattering". #VuwaniProtests #vuwani pic.twitter.com/BfG8yF52EB

— MojoIOL (@mojoIOL) May 6, 2016

“We as traditional leaders and the government delegation want this to stop, we want our people to live a normal life,” he said.

The king said the reason for the protest was that people from Vuwani want to remain in Makhado municipality.

While he supported the protest, he has also condemned the violence and torching of schools.

He said the protests were organised by the community, and not traditional leaders.

Makurupetje said their main aim was to find a common ground to ensure the situation in Vuwani returned to normal.

“We will be going to the level of trying to meet senior traditional leaders, governing bodies, ward community and policing forums,” she said.

Motshekga said she was shattered by the situation in Vuwani.

“We don't only lose the buildings, the roof and other things, we lose the school records. I have experience of working with a school with no records. After '76 Orlando High lost all its records,” she said.

After the briefing the minister and MEC went on a walk-about through two of the burnt schools, Mphagane Junior Primary and Vhafamadzi Junior Primary School, to asses the damage.

IOL MOJO

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