Stefaans Brummer
DEPUTY Minister of Constitutional Affairs Mohammed Valli Moosa this week intervened in the border dispute between Eastern Transvaal Premier Mathews Phosa and Nothern Transvaal Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi.
It is understood Moosa’s move to resolve the dispute over Bushbuckridge — part of the former Lebowa and Gazankulu homelands at present demarcated in the Northern Transvaal – – was spurred on by a Mail & Guardian article last week highlighting allegations of heavy-handed tactics used against perceived opponents of incorporation in the Eastern
African National Congress (ANC) branches in Bushbuckridge were traditionally organised as part of the movement’s Eastern Transvaal structures. But Bushbuckridge was made part of the Northern Transvaal under the new Constitution.
Phosa’s Eastern Transvaal government, aware of the political strength to be derived from the enclave, started negotiating last year to have it transferred. A tentative agreement was reached between the premiers last September, but the process dragged on, spawning recrimination and allegations of intimidation.
Moosa said he had met with Ramatlhodi and Phosa on Monday and that it was decided the earlier agreement on transfer would be honoured. But the future of Bushbuckridge and Groblersdal, an Eastern Transvaal border town claimed by the Northern Transvaal, would be decided “as a package”. Phosa earlier insisted Groblersdal was a separate issue.
Moosa’s representative, Mpho Mosimane, said the deputy minister “has initiated a process of consultation which should lead to a resolution within the next three weeks”, and that a public hearing for all interested parties would be held in Groblersdal on May 26.