Des van Rooyen and President Jacob Zuma. Image by: Gallo Images
The Minister of Cooperative Governance And Traditional Affairs Des Van Rooyen on Tuesday described government’s response to the Vuwani crisis as “swift and decisive”.
Van Rooyen‚ however‚ was swiftly attacked as he took to the podium to address the National Assembly on the violent demarcation protests that left more than 20 schools damaged.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs were called to order after trying to question Van Rooyen on his brief stint as the country’s finance minister – he replaced Nhlanhla Nene before himself being replaced five days later by Pravin Gordhan – and his ties to the controversial Gupta family.
Among the opposition party’s quips was one from Mbuyiseni Ndlozi who told the house that “Van Rooyen can only speak on Saturdays and Sundays because he’s a weekend special”.
When he got a chance to resume his speech on Vuwani‚ Van Rooyen said: “Today’s debate will ensure that this house and our fellow South Africans have information about the real issues on the ground and our interventions.
“In my view‚ the debate today cannot be about politicking or scoring cheap political points.”
Van Rooyen said the decision to amalgamate “Vuwani with parts of the Malamulele municipality (was) were made on the basis of forming municipalities that were economically viable‚ sustainable and able to deliver services to citizens”‚ but this “led to unhappiness within the Vuwani community‚ which is largely Venda-speaking”.
“The formation of the Republic of Venda fuelled tensions between Venda and Tsonga speakers‚ in the areas now occupied by the Vuwani and Malamulele communities‚ respectively‚” he continued.
“In the past weeks‚ this tension has spilt onto the streets of Vuwani and surrounding areas.”
He said that last Friday “His Majesty King TP Mphephu Ramabulana of the Vhavhenda nation met traditional leaders and urged them to allow government to engage community structures during the weekend”.
These engagements will start on Wednesday at tribal councils in the area.
Van Rooyen also said the “emergency funding” was needed from provincial and national sources “to enable the provision of services and teaching and learning to resume”.
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