Talks to end instability in Vuwani continuing

27th May 2016 By: News24Wire

Talks to end instability in Vuwani continuing

Photo by: Reuters

Talks to end unrest in Vuwani, Limpopo have not collapsed, the Ministry of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs said on Thursday.

Progress had been made as a number of schools were back in operation and learning and teaching was continuing, spokesperson Legadima Leso said in a statement.

“The recent media report suggesting that negotiations and discussion about a lasting solution to Vuwani have collapsed because there is a court process by the community, is simply not accurate,” he said.

Parents needed to help ensure that schools opened again, instead of taking them elsewhere.

The ministry applauded the Vhembe district for its efforts in ending the violence.

Talks were held between government representatives, civil society, traditional leaders, and residents in Tshino on Monday.

Vuwani residents burnt down or vandalised 50 schools in protests against a Municipal Demarcation Board decision.

The violence started when, on April 29, the Masia Traditional Council lost a court application to set aside the board's decision to merge the underperforming Vuwani municipality with parts of the Malamulele municipality in the Vhembe district.

Residents were appealing the decision.