MBABANE – Some emaSwati living in poverty are reportedly unaware that they are the intended beneficiaries of funds amounting to E260 million.
This concerns several households at Lonhlupheko, situated in the eastern region of Eswatini. Eswatini News has established that a certain company allegedly solicited approximately £12 million (E260 million) for a housing project purportedly aimed at improving the living conditions of 350 households at Lonhlupheko.
It has further emerged that images depicting the extreme poverty in the area were used to mobilise funds from international donors. However, the most troubling aspect is that, to date, the promised development has not materialised within the community.
Documents in the possession of this publication indicate that the funds were indeed deposited and received by the project facilitators who are based in Eswatini. The money was received through a South African digital bank.
According to reliable sources, the donors, having been moved by the distressing images of poverty in Lonhlupheko, committed to financing the housing initiative. They were reportedly shown numerous households constructed from mud and timber, with residents lacking access to essential services such as clean water, adequate sanitation and proper housing infrastructure.
Lonhlupheko has long been recognised as an area requiring urgent development interventions, particularly in the fields of housing and community services. Documents and credible sources suggest that the funds were released specifically to alleviate the dire living conditions faced by emaSwati in the area. The project proposal reportedly detailed plans to construct 350 houses and to develop supporting infrastructure to uplift the community. It entails building three-bedroom houses, furnished and equipped with solar geysers, rainwater harvesting systems and flushing sanitation.
In addition to housing, the proposal made provision for a community clinic, a sports field and educational support initiatives aimed at improving living standards within the area. The individual linked to the project is a South African national whose identity is known to this publication but cannot be disclosed at this stage as investigations are continuing.
Documents reviewed by this publication further indicate that an amount equivalent to approximately E260 million was received as an initial tranche of funding. The funds were reportedly secured in foreign currency in December 2025 through a supposed bank in South Africa. The bank’s name is known to this publication, but cannot be disclosed at this stage.
Despite the reported receipt of funds, there is no evidence of construction activity at Lonhlupheko. There has been no visible land clearing, no delivery of building materials and no presence of contractors or machinery associated with a project of this scale.
When contacted on the same matter, Chief Jozane Maziya, who is the chief for KaLanga area under which Lonhlupheko falls, said he was not aware of such a housing project. In fact, the chief said he was hearing about it for the first time. In terms of culture and tradition, community projects are introduced to the chiefs.
The chief further wished to know the person or organisation behind the envisaged projects. Moreover, the chief wondered on what criteria was used in selecting his area as a beneficiary of so many houses when there are so many needy people across the country.
It is said that traditional leaders such, as chiefs, remain central to land administration and community development, which places the importance of engaging them before undertaking any projects on Eswatini Nation Land (ENL).
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KaLanga Chief, Jozane Maziya, said he was not aware of the said 350 housing project set to be built at Lonhlupheko by a South African citizen.