Violence flares up again in troubled S. African township

Violence flared up again in the troubled township of Vhuwani, Limpopo Province Wednesday despite intervention by State Security Minister David Mahlobo.

Mahlobo visited the area earlier in the day, trying to restore calm. But soon after he claimed roads were open, residents erected burning barricades and stoned passing cars again.

Police responded by firing rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

Residents of Vuwani have been protesting against a decision by the Municipal Demarcation Board to incorporate the area under a newly merged municipality.

The protest erupted more than one week ago after the residents in the area lost a High Court bid to have Vuwani excluded from the Malamulele Municipality.

A total of 50 schools have been either burnt down or vandalised during the protests that have lasted for more than a week, prompting authorities to declare the township a disaster area.

Thousands of pupils have abandoned their studies.

Protesters also burned down a number of satellite police stations, tribal offices, clinics, libraries and municipal trucks, police said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Tuesday it would cost at least 750 million rand (about 49 million US dollars) to repair the damage.

Dozens of people have been arrested for alleged involvement in acts of violence. Meanwhile, hundreds of police officers are deployed in the area to monitor the situation. Endit