HEAVY RAINS: 150 MBABANE HOMES AFFECTED

MBABANE – EmaSwati are still feeling the wrath of the effects of Cyclone Eloise, which were followed by torrential rainfall about two weeks later.

Yesterday, about 150 houses in Mbabane were reported to have been drastically damaged by the heavy rains which have been experienced in the country since January.

The houses, most of which were reported to have collapsed, were mainly at or near Msunduza and Mahwalala townships, which are known to have many slums. 

The two locations are situated on the outskirts of the capital city.

In Mbabane East, about 100 damaged houses were recorded and 50 homesteads that needed aid were recorded in Mbabane West.

Msunduza Bucopho Zweli Mthethwa said they had recorded about 100 houses that were damaged by the rains, and the families needed emergency aid.

Condition

“Last time we did our survey early this week, about 100 houses were really damaged and were in no condition for people to live in. 

“Unfortunately, we have heard that more houses are getting damaged, as an after-effect of the rains,” said Mthethwa.

He said more than 50 people were displaced in Mbabane East.

“Some people are now living with their friends and relatives because they have no roofing over their heads. The situation is really terrible on the ground,” said Mthethwa.

Mbabane West Indvuna Yenkhundla Mlondi Dlamini revealed that they had recorded about 50 houses that were damaged and in need of immediate repairing at Zone 2. 

“These recordings are only from Zone 2. The numbers will definitely go up once we go do a survey in other zones,” said Dlamini.

When sought for comment, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Communications Manager Wandile Mavuso said they were aware of the situation on the ground, stating that they were making assessments to consider the families or people whose houses needed building.

“Procuring a house for a family that has experienced a natural disaster is a very long process. An assessment is done first before their request is approved. Currently, we are building a few houses in all the regions of the country,” said Mavuso.

Prioprity

He went on to say priority was given to vulnerable people. 

“We have given priority to the elderly, child-headed homes, homes headed by widows with children less than five years and homesteads with orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs),” he said.

In a tour at Msunduza last Sunday, specifically at Gobholo, Mncitsini and Mgababa, it was noted that every 200 metres, there were structures that were affected by the rains.

Worth noting is that Msunduza is one of the areas that are mostly clustered with stick-and-mud houses in Mbabane.

During the tour, this journalist noted that most of the occupants of the dilapidated houses were displaced. 

Mud

Those who were near the structures were trying to mend them with mud.

Over a week ago, acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku said the NDMA would rehabilitate 60 structures that were affected by the floods, with the assistance of Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) and development partners.

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