The Vuwani shutdown will continue as planned in Limpopo, on Wednesday. The resolution was taken in a public meeting at a local sports-ground.
Supporters of the Pro-Makhado Task Team in Vuwani, outside Thohoyandou, gathered to discuss a boycott that started on Tuesday morning.
They are protesting on the eve of the general elections over a demarcation dispute. Businesses and schooling have also been disrupted.
The Pro-Makhado Task Team says they won’t be heading to the polls on Wednesday. Task Team spokesperson, Arnold Mulaudzi, says the IEC will nonetheless be allowed to open voting stations.
“They are going to continue with their shutdown until such time that government officials will come down and address their grievances. On the election part, we have reiterated our statement since we have not found that commitment that we are also seeking; we are not going to vote tomorrow. There will be no voting. The IEC can come and erect their tents as they use to do, but I know our people are determined that they are not going to vote.”
The community leaders want government to recede the demarcation board’s decision to put the area under the Collins Chabane Municipality. It wants to return to the Makhado district.
The group had given government until Tuesday or face a boycott of the Wednesday vote.
Community members say the demarcation situation has been shoved down their throats.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Limpopo provincial government, Kenny Mathivha, has dismissed allegations that representatives from the provincial government were scheduled to address Vuwani residents at the stadium on Tuesday.
Mathivha has also appealed to residents not to intimidate those who want to vote.
This, as some residents from Vuwani and surrounding villages say they are excited about the general elections.
Calvin Mathebula is the spokesperson of residents at Davhana village and says they are looking forward to choosing a government they want.
