Pres Jacob Zuma has urged the community of Malamulele to approach their demand for a separate municipality with caution.

He addressed the Malamulele Task Team (MTT) and other stakeholders that are supporting the campaign for a separate municipality during a meeting held at a local church in the area last Wednesday. The meeting took place shortly before a political gathering, where Zuma was booed by an angry crowd.

In his address to the MTT, Zuma said it is difficult for him to give a specific answer about the issue, while having no details. “As president I am concerned about the anger of the Malamulele people. I am happy now that I have a detailed report from the MTT, who is is busy finalizing the report on this matter. Let’s wait for that report to be finalized before we make any announcement,” said Zuma.

He was responding to the demand made by leaders of the Malamulele community, who urged him to give them their own municipality, independent from Thulamela, but under Vhembe District Municipality.

Hosi David Nxumalo, a senior traditional leader in Malamulele area and chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in Vhembe, said: “Malamulele deserves to have its own municipality, because it is a vast area. Service delivery in this area is being compromised because it is so big. We will always support the ANC, but we want an assurance that our problems will be attended to,” said Nxumalo.

Pastor Maluleke, who spoke on behalf of the religious community, said Malamulele was in poverty because of poor service delivery. “The ANC has liberated the country, but in Malamulele we are not liberated,” said Maluleke. Mr Lemson Maluleke, on behalf of the business community, said the concerns of the Malamulele community needed both political and administrative intervention. Dr Isaah Ndlambi, spokesperson for the MTT, said he believed Zuma was going to attend to their concern.

Zuma said he was happy that the community leaders were addressing their concerns in a proper manner instead of resorting into violence like had happened before. He said it was advisable not to take a firm stand on the issue as it was still under examination. “In issues like this, always leave room for disappointment as someone might come up with a different view that can outweigh yours,” said Zuma.

He also said the community should have a user-friendly approach on the matter and avoid using threats. “Let us create an environment that will make this process run smoothly. Even if you can say that you want answers from me now, it will be difficult for me to make a pronouncement, as I am not a dictator,” said Zuma.

He repeated his stand to a hostile crowd in his address at a packed Malamulele stadium last Wednesday. The residents heckled Zuma and shouted "Hilava masipala" (We want a municipality). About the booing of the President, members of the community have various views. Some said Zuma was booed because many of the people did not understand English when he addressed them.

Last year, people in Malamulele went on the rampage and looted various shops and set them alight to express their anger while demanding their own municipality. After Zuma had left the stadium last Wednesday, the community went on the rampage, barricaded roads with burning tyres and threw stones. A heavy police presence, however, managed to calm the situation.

At the time of going to press, Nxumalo said the leadership of the MTT was still busy discussing the issue with the relevant stakeholders before they could formulate their comment on the President‘s response. “What I can say now is that we think there is progress in the matter, and we are still discussing it,” said Nxumalo.