Angry residents from Musina's Ward 9 villages, including Matshena, Mapakoni, Mataulu, Makavhe, Bale, Rangani Sigonde, Tuwani and Gumbu, marched to the Manenzhe Traditional Council offices on Friday to hand over a memorandum of demands.
Waving placards, the large crowd made its way to the offices, where the memorandum was handed over to officials from the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, who promised to forward it to senior authorities.
Much of the frustration appears to centre on the senior traditional leader, Thovhele Takalani Elon Manenzhe, who was not present when the memorandum was delivered. Protesters accuse him of ruling with an iron fist and an arrogant attitude. Their grievances include alleged corruption, mismanagement of funds, nepotism, interference in municipal affairs, and abuse of power.
Community leader and spokesperson Mr Thabelo Manenzhe said the residents had endured long-standing issues under the current leadership, despite several attempts to resolve matters through dialogue.
"Our Thovhele is arrogant and not prepared to listen to the community. This has left us with no option but to embark on this peaceful march to raise our voices. As a community, we demand a full audit of community finances from all the payments residents pay as levies in the different villages. We also demand that Thovhele Manenzhe stops interfering in the services brought by the municipality to communities, including distribution of RDP houses, solar systems and other services," he said.
The Thovhele's political affiliation has also become a point of contention. He is reported to be a branch executive member of the ruling party. "We had expected him to be neutral as he is ruling subjects from different political parties. Those who do not belong to his party are always sidelined and victimised when it comes to services," Manenzhe added.
Protesters also called for the immediate disbandment of the Manenzhe Traditional Council, led by what they described as "the dictator Mr Mpho Phaladi", claiming the council was an illegally elected structure. "Also of concern is the delay in the inauguration of the Bale headman, who is the son of the late Johannes Manenzhe. We would like to see the immediate facilitating of the process," he said.
Several attempts were made to contact Thovhele Manenzhe, but he could not be reached.