KHAKHU - The angry community of Khakhu in the Thulamela Municipality is protesting against the decision of the Vhembe demarcation board that their area should fall under the jurisdiction of the Mutale Municipality.

According to the Civic Association members, the Khakhu area was getting services from the Thulamela Municipality, and they allege that they were not informed about the changes.

“The Demarcation Board did not inform the Civic Association when taking such a decision,” they said. According to them, their area has a population of about 5 000, but only 300 people were involved in the voting process.

They said they appreciated the Thulamela Municipality’s service delivery. “The decision that Khakhu Village should fall under the Mutale Municipality was discussed in 2002 and it was undemocratic, because the local royal council misled the demarcation board,” protesters add.

It was confirmed by the Thulamela Municipality’s internal memo that only a few people were involved in the voting process.

“Since 1994, our village has been moving from one municipality to another and that instability has had a very negative impact on the development of the community,” they said. “If we fall under the Mutale Municipality, health accessibility will be scarce and people will suffer more than before,” they said.

In the referendum conducted in 2002, about 93 people voted to fall under Thulamela and 81 voted for Mutale. The Civic Association has sent a memorandum to the National Minister of Provincial and Local government protesting against the decisions taken by the Demarcation Board that was led by Chief Jeffrey Ramovha.

Mr Ramovha said the board is not going to change its decision because it can cost a lot of money.