Last updated on: March 04, 2015 by Nkateko Mirhumba Chake
Nhlanganelo wo Hluvukisa Xitsonga (NHLAHLUXI) is a registered NPO whose objective is to promote the development of all Vatsonga in the Southern African subcontinent (region), and indeed the whole world.
We have acknowledged with concern the recent developments in the Malamulele area and we feel that we cannot remain aloof when the rights of our people are trampled upon and the will of the affected people, not the wishes of their political masters that are paramount in determining the discourse and direction to be taken. Indeed, after making their grievances known, the people of Malamulele must surely be wondering about the following:
It should be noted that Malamulele residents are not tribalist as reported by those who are against their demand, but had been victims of tribalism emanating from local government administration and demarcation board proceedings which allowed the following factors stated below to develop unequal socia-economic and unjust social justice. It is of great importance to also note that the area of Malamulele incorporates both Tshivenda and Xitsonga speakers, and the twosome have been neighbouring and staying together for years and involving in inter-marriages. Another crucial point that distances the Malamulele Community from tribalism is that almost 80% if not 90% of posts, especially in government institutions like both primary and secondary schools are occupied by Tshivenda speakers whom neither reported any tribal attack nor incident from Malamulele Community members since they arrived.
We urge the Demarcation Board and the government to turn an eyelid on reports and allegations being made by Malamulele Citizens against Thulamela Local Municipality, especially on the line of tribal bias by the municipal officials. If these allegations are not attended to, the scenario will get worse than those damages inflicted by the Apartheid regime. We also advice the Demarcation Board that their decision in favour of Malamulele’s demand will help in the state’s financial over-spending being used to pay and enrich those Public Order police officers’ overtime salaries since they come from as far as Ulundi and New Castle in KZN, Grobblersdal, Hazyview and all corners of the country, “may be the national army is the next”. The money that is being used to pay these police men and women can be used to change or make difference in the lives of Malamulele citizens.
We therefore plead with the Municipal Demarcation Board and the government to immediately resolve the disputes within Thulamela Local Municipality and to consider the granting of an independent local municipality to the people of Malamulele as it is their constitutional right.
NKATEKO MIRHUMBA CHAKE (General Secretary)