Municipal Council of Mbabane performance commended

MBABANE – The Portfolio Committee of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has commended the Municipal Council of Mbabane for its performance during the 20202021 financial year.

Speaking for the Portfolio Committee, Senator Chief Mphatfwa thanked the Mayor, Zephaniah Nkambule’s report, which he said was comprehensive. He applauded Nkambule’s return to the seat and he said he believed the council would also unite as a team in furtherance of the organisation’s objectives.

The chief also said that the report, presented by the Director Finance Nhlanhla Vilakati, gave the council a clean bill of financial health. The chief also stated that he had been impressed by the council corporate social responsibility project through which a house has been built for one Gogo Hleziphi Nkambule at Mncitsini.

“I should thank the organisation for investing in its workforce, I have seen that you continue to upskill them and give them new skills to make sure they are well equipped to serve the people of this great city,” he said.

The chief also stated that he has seen and been disappointed by the damage to infrastructure, especially the tarred roads that were burnt during the unrest in the capital city.

Meanwhile, issues of the building ban, Mangwaneni dispute and job creation opportunities were prominent during the Municipal Council’s annual general meeting (AGM).

Making their presentation, ratepayers raised concerns bordering around the aforementioned issues.

Senator Moi Moi Masilela wondered why the council ignored the Mangwaneni matter as it was critical and needed to be addressed.

Masilela stated that the building ban issue was also very important and touched on a number of people. He wanted to know where the challenge was regarding the lifting of the building ban.

Cows

Masilela also mentioned the issue of wandering cows around the city which he said sometimes attacked residents.

Furthermore, he stated that the city was among the oldest in history and the planning of the road infrastructure should be widened.

He also highlighted on pothole filling with sand, which he said was a waste of time, especially because the roads continued to be in a terrible state. Masilela urged that the minister of Housing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane, be part of the meeting to listen to the concerns. He also advised the council to seek for a bigger venue as there were a number of interested ratepayers who wanted to be part of the meeting.

Another speaker, Patrick Ngwenya, made a submission on the issue of social responsibility on council’s side, adding that most ratepayers were affected by COVID-19 and required food aid. Ngwenya stated that it was painful that residents had to pay rates yet they were hungry. He said they registered the residents within the city as beneficiaries for food aid, but it took long to be delivered, which was a challenge as some passed away in the process. Ngwenya urged the council to seek assistance from donors in terms of the food.

He also suggested that the council should consider the issue of metro police as a means to generate income.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Gideon Mhlongo presenting the 2021 annual report said there were a lot of applications for development coming through and they were looking forward to more buildings.

He added that temporal building permit applications had also increased. The CEO said the project to upgrade informal settlements had made a huge progress despite COVID-19 challenges. As a result, he stated that Sidvwashini, Fonteyn and Manzana environmental audits were conducted.

Mhlongo said Mangwaneni had a challenge which was being addressed.