TUESDAY, 4.00PM
The national executive committee of the African National Congress on Monday decided that Bushbuckridge should stay in Northern Province, a move which is bound to anger residents pushing for the area to be incorporated in Mpumalanga.
In a statement released after the decision was taken, the ANC, referring to recent rioting in the area, said nobody has the right to resort to force and violence to achieve the resolution of problems, including boundary disputes, in a democracy.
It was agreed at the NEC meeting that the boundary disputes involving both Bushbuckridge and Groblersdal have no bearing on the fundamental transformation of South Africa and the creation of a better life for its people. Groblersdal residents have also been protesting plans to transfer the town from Mpumalanga to Northern Province.
The ANC said the new Constitution had finalised the issue of boundaries, and on that basis the status quo had to be maintained. Therefore, Bushbuckridge would remain part of Northern Province and Groblersdal part of Mpumalanga.
On Monday, the Bushbuckridge border committee announced that several more protest marches will be staged this week to demand the transfer of the area to Mpumalanga. Protesters will on Wednesday march to police stations in Bushbuckridge, Thulamahasha, Acornhoek and Mukhuhle to present memoranda of demands. And on Friday protesters will again march on the Bushbuckridge police station, the committee said.