Times of Eswatini

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- BY MELISA MSWELI

NHLANGANO – Nhlangano Town Council has issued a letter declaring the Shiselweni Magistrate­s Court building unsafe, as per the Public Health Act.

This is after the court building was found to be having dysfunctio­nal restrooms, structural cracks, collapsing roofing and broken tiles, among other things. As a result, the Nhlangano Town Council has given the court authoritie­s a period of 14 days to sort the issues. It is worth noting that the building is 13 years old, having been officially opened by His Majesty King Mswati III on September 16, 2009.

A team from the Ministry of Justice and Constituti­onal Affairs, as well as High Court officials, were sent to the region yesterday to inspect the building. They saw, firsthand, the structural defects and dysfunctio­nal facilities. They found that the passages were leaking and as a result, buckets were used to collect rainwater from the roof.

Workers said they spent time mopping up and wiping benches during the rainy seasons.

Toilets

The ceiling paint was also found to be wearing of as a result of the moist in the walls. “The toilets of the building are all dysfunctio­nal, which was highlighte­d by the Nhlangano Town Council as a priority, given the number of people who go to court on a daily basis.” the workers said.

Among the team that came to inspect the structure were engineers who were also spotted looking into the court map yesterday.

In an interview, Nhlangano Town Council Chief Executive Officer Babsy Mavuso, confirmed that they issued a letter, stating that the building was a safety hazard. He added that priority was supposed to be given to the restrooms and water so that people who seek services at the court could be able to use those facilities. “We gave them 14 working days to put their house in order as per the Public Health Act, which is our responsibi­lity in town,” he said.

The letter was issued on Tuesday May 23, 2023. As a result, the 14 days end on June 12, 2023.

In an interview, Acting High Court Registrar Nosipho Mazibuko confirmed that they received the letter, hence the response. She said the inspection was the first step towards fixing the problem and they were working on it already as they were sent down to the region.

 ?? ?? A bucket used to collect water inside the court when it rains.
A bucket used to collect water inside the court when it rains.
 ?? (File pics) ?? The dilapidate­d ceiling is falling apart at the Shiselweni Magistrate­s Court in Nhlangano.
(File pics) The dilapidate­d ceiling is falling apart at the Shiselweni Magistrate­s Court in Nhlangano.

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