Madam,

As a resident of Manzana Ward 1 in Mbabane West, I am issuing this statement to express my individual and unwavering support for my Member of Parliament, Jane Simelane. Her recent decision to walk out of the meeting with the Mbabane Municipality regarding a surprise memorandum of understanding (MoU) was a principled act of protection for this constituency, a stance I personally share.

A history of tactical land grabbing and constitutional violations

Most distressing is the history of how this entity has treated Mbabane’s aboriginal residents; those who obtained their land through traditional means long before the municipality was established.

Disguised development: Under the guise of local community development, the municipality has engaged in tactical land grabbing.

We have seen original residents stripped of their ancestral land, which is then repurposed or sold to strangers for profit.

The forced re-khonta scandal: To maintain a grip on the little land they have left, aboriginal residents who had already khonta-ed decades ago are being forced into a repurchase scheme. The municipality is forcing people to pay amounts up to E30 000 to buy back the very land that is rightfully theirs.

Violation of Section 19: This is a blatant violation of Section 19 of the Constitution of Eswatini, which explicitly states that every person has a right to property.

The Constitution mandates that if the government takes land for development purposes, the affected person must be compensated. Instead, the Mbabane municipality is doing the opposite; forcing the victims to pay the aggressor.

A system of permits and surveillance, not progress

The pit latrine reality: In a capital city, many of us still rely on pit latrines. The municipality requires a permit just to dig one, yet they provide zero infrastructure support.

Lack of sewage planning: I question the municipality’s intended development when they have no programme for a sewage pipeline to manage waste from local homesteads. In a proper urban structural plan, the municipality should be providing these connections and even assisting in the construction of compliant housing, rather than just policing plans and charging for Title Deeds (up to E1 500).

Seeking clarity on the RDF: This surprise MoU appears to be an attempt by the municipality to seize control of the Reconstruction and Development Fund (RDF). I am requesting urgent clarity on this, as it is my understanding that the RDF is for the voters and local individuals to facilitate community-level growth, not for corporate entities to fund their own agendas.

Why is a capital-heavy entity trying to snatch funds meant for the direct empowerment of the people?

My conclusion, I refuse to accept a local government that prioritises capital over community and violates our constitutional rights.

A municipality should provide hygienic toilets and sewage lines, not just permits and E30 000 repurchase invoices. I stand firmly with Minister Simelane in rejecting any agreement that seeks to hand over our community resources to an entity that has failed us on the most basic levels of service and justice.

Jane Simelane, Mbabane West MP.