Vuwani violence is the legacy of apartheid, says President Zuma

Over 20 schools were either torched or vandalised this month during a protest over demarcation.

JOHANNESBURG - President Jacob Zuma says the burning of schools in Vuwani is part of the legacy of apartheid where people take up issues through violence.

More than 20 schools were either torched or vandalised in the Limpopo community this month during a protest over demarcation.

Zuma earlier told Members of Parliament in the National Assembly that the new dispensation has failed to address this former approach to dissatisfaction.

"Once people see something, they take it up through violence, at times through violence that is not acceptable at all. If you are saying you need services, you can't at the same time destroy."

WATCH: Mobile classes arrive in protest-ravaged Vuwani

Earlier today, parliamentarians debated the schooling crisis in Vuwani as interim arrangements were made to get teaching and learning back on track.

The Basic Education Department says 74 mobile classrooms have been sent to Vuwani and surrounding areas in the aftermath of the violence.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Floyd Shivambu claimed the protests were stoked by internal African National Congress (ANC) battles.

"It's mostly intra ANC squabbles because the mayor of Makhado is from Vuwani so when he is demarcated into the new municipality, Malamulele, he realises that it's not going to be a possibility of him becoming a mayor again."

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Kevin Mileham called on government to provide clarity on the municipal demarcation dispute.

"The Municipal Demarcation Board in a bizarre reversal, created a new municipality combining Malamulele from the former Thulamela Municipality and Vuwani from Makhado Municipality."

He added, "There has been no impact assessment to determine the viability of the proposed new municipality and no public consultation with the residents of Vuwani."

ANC MP Nomalungelo Gina, meanwhile, said the delivery of mobile schools was part of efforts to return normality to the area.

Additional reporting by Rahima Essop.