Police monitoring Malamulele after protests

Polokwane - Limpopo police were on Thursday monitoring
the situation in Malamulele following days of violent
protests.
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"No incidents which have needed police attention have been
reported since last night," said Colonel Ronel Otto.
Protest organisers had been scheduled to meet with officials
from the co-operative governance department on
Wednesday.
It was unclear whether that meeting had taken place.
"I know though that there have been a series of meetings
over the last few days," said Otto.
Protesters demanding their own municipality have brought
Malamulele to a standstill and barred pupils from attending
school.
They monitored roads to ensure no business took place and
forced a shutdown of schools as well as shops in the local
mall.
Residents blamed the Municipal Demarcation Board for not
heeding their call for Malamulele and some surrounding areas,
especially those that are Xitsonga-speaking, to have its own
municipality.
The demand for another municipality has fuelled tensions
between Tshivenda and Xitsonga speakers and triggered
division among local traditional leaders as some regard it as a
tribal issue.