The community of Ha-Magau convened to discuss the issue of an illegal march which happened in front of the house of Ward 23's councillor, Selinah Mamatsiari, on 14 October. The meeting was held at the Magau Trading Store's grounds a fortnight ago, only about 30 metres from the councillor's house.

This followed after some members of the Sinugani branch of the ANC had toyi-toyied in front the councillor's house, stating that Mamatsiari had failed to attend branch executive committee meetings (BEC) and branch general meetings (BGM). Mamatsiari is also the general secretary for the branch.

ANC regional secretary Mr Khathu Netshifhefhe has since condemned the demonstrations by ANC members and called the act “strange and uncommon” (Limpopo Mirror, 19 October).

During the meeting two weeks ago, the Magau community elders said that the Sinugani branch of the ANC had shown total disrespect and disregard to residents and the two traditional kraals in the village, when they held an “illegal march against the ward councillor”. The community decided to write letters of grievance to the traditional kraal in Madombidzha, the Sinthumule Traditional Council and the Makhado Municipality.

“We're not here to represent any political party,” said one resident during the meeting. “We are community members who have come together to say out loud that what had happened in front of Mamatsiari's house was nonsense!”