Vuwani - Community leaders in Vuwani in Limpopo said on Friday that they had not suspended their protest, but had merely “unblocked” roads in the area to allow government officials to attend a proposed meeting.
Protesting residents of Vuwani are opposed to the integration of their area into a new Limpopo municipality.
The protesters have resolved not to register to vote this weekend – meaning they will not be able to take part in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for August 3. The protesters have also threatened to disrupt voter registration.
Community leader Alex Ndou said residents had agreed to meet with Cooprative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister David van Rooyen.
“We did not suspend our protest, government proposed a meeting with us and we agreed, but if what they are going to say is not a decision change, we will continue to fight,” said Ndou.
The operations of shops, schools and public transport have largely ground to a halt amid fears that the protesters could turn violent.
Ndou said the meeting with government did not not mean that they would participate during the IEC voter registration programme this weekend.
Protests erupted after the Municipal Demarcation Board announced that parts of Vuwani and surrounding villages would form part of a municipality planned in Malamulele. Affected residents claim they were not consulted about the move to integrate their area into a new municipality.
Provincial South African Police Service spokesperson, Colonel Ronel Otto, said public order police were deployed in the area to maintain order.
During previous protests in March, the first leg of voter registration in Vuwani was marred by violence as residents torched a police nyala and shops. Police had to intervene to protect IEC officials.
African News Agency