More than 80 Ezulwini tenants to be homeless
EZULWINI – Over 80 tenants will be homeless following the eviction of their landlords who were displaced by the construction of the Manzini/Mbabane Highway 10 years ago.
The Ezulwini Royal Kraal has ordered the residents to vacate the premises that belonged to them before the highway was constructed.
The residents from four homesteads are among those who were awarded compensation and also allocated another piece of land by the Royal Kraal.
However, upon realising that after the road construction their houses and land remained untouched, they reverted to occupy the old premises and started redeveloping and building more flats which they leased out.
This went on for about a decade until others decided to operate illegal businesses including drinking spots.
What was gathered from the elders of the umphakatsi is that the eviction, after such a long time, was prompted by the residents’ failure to behave themselves.
Chairman of the Inner Council Ezrome Khumalo said, "They started selling alcohol there and there would be a lot of noise and vandalism. We have had recent incidents where people would get drunk and start robbing and stabbing innocent people along the overhead footbridge and surrounding areas." He said the four homesteads that were affected by the Royal Kraal’s move are situated next to the road. Khumalo said two of the recent near-fatal incidents saw an airtime vendor being stabbed along the bridge and a woman hacked with a bush knife.
He said otherwise the Royal Kraal has not planned to utilise the land yet. "We want them out for the sake of peace and safety of innocent residents," he said.
The King’s Overseer, Sifiso Khumalo referred to as uMngani, confirmed that they have reminded the people to move.
He said the council delivered a report to him stating that they are working on the matter.
Khumalo said this was long overdue. He said the land that remained untouched belongs to the Royal Kraal, especially because the occupants were given alternative land by the elders.
"Some decided to rent out the houses and it’s a pity for the tenants who live there because they are innocent yet their landlords know the truth," he said.
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