Criminolocal analysis of violent nature of protests in vuwani area, vhembe District of Limpopo province

Mr Oda Ramusekene1
1Criminological Society Of Africa, Lwamondo, South Africa

This study titled ” a criminological  analysis of violent nature of protest in Vuwani area” was aimed at determining the nature violent of protest at Vuwani area. It adopted a qualitative approach, and interviews were used to collect data. A total of 40 respondents were purposefully  selected and data was analysed through thematic analysis. The study describes the respondent concern, challenges and reasons for violent protest.

The main findings reveals that the protests were particularly about decision by the demarcation board to remove  Vuwani area which was situated in Makhado municipality to a new municipality dubbed Collins Chabane Municipality situated in Malamulele area. The protest turned violent since the community of Vuwani was angry and frustrated. Again the study revealed poor public participation by communities in decision that affected their wellbeing as a factor in violent protests. However, the community was consuslted about the decision and were against the demarcation board decision. Blame is put on community representatives as being selfish by putting their own desire fisrt than those of community. Again, long standing tribal issues were at the centre of the violent protests in Vuwani Area. It was stated that it is impossible for the community of Vuwani to be moved to a new municipality situated in predominantly Tsonga speaking area which is in Malamulele.

The longstanding myth is that tsonga cannont rule vendas  and vice versa. Furthermore, political instability made it impossible for the government institutions to manage the protests effectively. vuwani community refused to be moved to a new municipality fearing poor services delivery and nepotism. Therefore, protest turned extremely violent due to myth and frustrations. The study recommend proper public participation in all government decision making committees, proper management of political instabilities as it influenced violent protests, and provision of better services.


Biography:

Am Ramusekene  Oda  22 years of age  currently  registered as a final year student at university of venda (south Africa) studying Bachelor of Arts in   criminal  justice and am the chairperson of Univen Criminological students society  and lastly the tressure  of University of venda    community policing Forum