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CITY COUNCIL TO DEMOLISH E1.1M FLATS WITHIN 7 DAYS

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MBABANE – Mangwaneni residents might soon refer to the Municipal Council of Mbabane (MCM) as the demolition crew.


This is because the council will, in seven days, demolish a E1.1 million structure in that area which was allegedly built illegally. The structure is adjacent to the Mangwaneni graveyard and next to the area’s soup kitchen. According to the owner, businessman Bongani Dlamini, the double-storey structure will be residential flats.


Dlamini narrated that he was served with a letter informing him that the MCM will demolish his almost complete flats in seven days.
To his knowledge, council had no jurisdiction at Mangwaneni as it was kicked out of the area after the incident that left Mfanzile Hlophe dead last year. This is the incident where Hlophe caught fire when MCM rangers went to his home to demolish a house he built without a permit.


Dlamini stated that he did not understand when council regained authority in the area.
He revealed that he was called to the Mangwaneni Royal Kraal two weeks ago, where they were told that MCM had no authority in that area as it belonged to royalty.


He failed to understand why council interfered in matters of that area as it was informed that it should steer clear of Mangwaneni.
“I am waiting for them to demolish my structure so that I can go to the royal kraal because I acquired that land through kukhonta,” narrated Dlamini.


The building is a double-storey with eight two-bedroom flats. Construction workers were found working on the building and it is about to be roofed. Information gathered is that the flats were expected to be completed by the end of January next year and soon after, tenants would move in.


Dlamini averred that the Mangwaneni Royal Kraal could attest to that MCM had no authority in that area.
He stated that demolishing his building would come at a cost for MCM as he would claim for same and additional fees for delaying his project. He stated that the Mangwaneni issue was also known at the District Commissioner’s office.

He said council was summoned and informed that it should stay away from Mangwaneni.
“If they demolish my structure they will be in big trouble and the letter they gave me will not stop me from proceeding with the construction,” said Dlamini.


He added that the letter was delivered to his office by one of the MCM officers who were involved when Hlophe caught fire last year. He narrated that the letter stated that rangers would demolish the building and wondered how they would do that because the area was under a royal kraal.


Governor Lusendvo Fakudze said to his knowledge, Mangwa-neni was under royalty.
Fakudze, however, stated that he was not well versed about issues of that area, especially those that had to do with boundaries. He said what he knew was that the MCM should not interfere in the royal kraal’s business as there were boundaries.


Fakudze said that it would be a problem if Dlamini was allocated land in an area within the MCM’s jurisdiction.
He also said the boundaries would only be known by those who stayed at Mangwaneni.
When asked about whether he knew of any directive from traditional authorities directing the MCM not to interfere in issues of that area, he responded to the negative.


“I know nothing about that, maybe the late governor had some knowledge about it,” responded Fakudze.
Fakudze said all he knew was that Mangwaneni was under royalty.


The Chairman of the Mangwa-neni Committee, Mduduzi Mazibuko, requested to make an official comment after having ascertaining developments on the matter. 

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