A Reminder on Services Accessible at Manzini Council
Today’s article is a reminder on some of the services that citizens, property owners and non-property owners, can access from the Municipal Council of Manzini at a reasonable fee. The following are some of the services;
- VACCUUM TANKER SERVICES
The Municipality has a vacuum tanker that is available for booking by both residents and none residents of the city. The service is available from Monday to Fridays. The payable fee for urban properties is E850 per load whilst non-urban citizens are required to pay E1,510 plus E20 per kilometre. The requirement is that the customer must first pay the applicable disposal fees with the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) before paying the Council fees at the Rates Hall. The service is offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
- SKIP SERVICE
Council offers a skip service for disposal of bulk waste such as construction waste (but not building rubble), tree branches and other forms of garden waste. These kinds of waste are not collected by the refuse truck. The payable fee is E100 per load. All one needs to do is pay the service fee at the Council Rates Hall and register for the service with the Municipality’s Community Services Department. Council will bring the skip to your residence, allow you time to load the waste and thereafter collect it for disposal at the Municipal Controlled Dumpsite.
- BURIAL SERVICES
Council has a burial facility for use by city residents. The Ngwane Park cemetery is available at a fee of E1000 for adults and E500 for children. All one needs to do is submit a copy of the death certificate or confirmation of death from a doctor, pay the applicable fees at the Council Rates Hall and submit proof of payment to the Municipality’s Community Services Department. The department will allocate a grave number and assist you in the event you need more information about the service. Covid-19 preventative measures are to be applied during burials.
- TRAFFIC CIRCLE GARDENS PHOTO SHOOT
For those who wish to use the Manzini traffic circle gardens for a photo shoot, the service is available at a fee of E150. One needs to pay the fee at the Council Rates Hall and keep the proof of payment. The Municipality’s security services patrols the facility from time to time to ensure that only authorised people utilise the facility.
- LABORATORY SERVICES
The Municipal Council of Manzini has an environmental testing laboratory. The facility conducts environmental tests within the city centre. The tests include analysis of potable drinking water from Eswatini Water Services Corporation, bottled water and ground water (borehole) for the detection of Escherichia Coli (E. coli) and Total coliforms. The laboratory also conducts chemistry analysis (physical parameters) for surface water samples for the detection of pollution levels. Also carried out at the laboratory are hygiene tests through analysis of food swabs, samples, surfaces that are used by food handlers as well as food testing (spoilage and poisoning). Those who wish to have the quality of their hand sanitizers tested are also able to get that service at the municipal laboratory. The laboratory’s services are open to members of the public at a fee.
- MUNICIPAL NURSERY
The Municipality has a nursery that is at the disposal of members of the public. It is located within the Council depot (located along Tenbergen street just below the Zakhele traffic lights and above the Satellite Bus Rank). The nursery offers a variety of plant species – both exotic and indigenous such as the duranta species (e.g. chinus gold), medicinal plants (e.g. bitter leaf) and a variety of shrubs. The price range is lower than the market price and depends on the type of plant sought. All one needs to do is go to the nursery, identify the desired plants, pay at the Council Rates Hall and return to the nursery for collection. The nursery is available only from Monday to Fridays within office hours.
- OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
Event organisers and the business sector who wish to publicise their events, services or products through outdoor banners and posters have the opportunity to do so. All one needs to do is submit the banner or poster to the Municipality’s Community Services Department for scrutiny and approval, pay the required fees at the Council Rates Hall, have the posters or banners stamped with a Council stamp as proof of approval and pin them in strategic areas as agreed by the department. The payable fees are E350.00 for ten posters per week and E220 for a single banner per week. Outdoor advertisers are reminded that they are required to remove the posters or banners after the agreed advertising period. It is also important to mention that it is an offence to pin a poster or banner without approval from the Municipality and Council has the right to remove posters or banners that have not been approved. Any violation attracts a fine up to E1000.
- OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE
The City of Manzini has an outdoor amphitheatre that is at the disposal of the entertainment industry and the general members of the public. The facility is located at the Pendray recreational park which is located within Trelawney Park Township. The youth of Manzini is encouraged to make use of the amphitheatre to promote and sharpen their artistic talents.
- MILLENNIUM PARK
The Millennium Park is open to members of the public for hosting of events such as weddings, flea markets, birthday parties, corporate events, meetings and other outdoor events. The facility is located opposite the Riverstone Mall, just across the Mzimnene river. The payable user fee is dependent on the kind of event and time of day at which it is being booked. The fees range from E630 to E1,200 for day time and overnight activities, respectively. The facility is equipped with toilets and lighting. It is also well fenced, guaranteeing privacy. All you need to do is contact Council’s Leasing Officer under the Technical Services Department, ascertain availability on your preferred date, make a booking, pay the required fees at the Council Rates Hall and enjoy the well maintained facility.
- FILTER CLINIC
The Municipality has a Filter Clinic, a general purpose clinic that functions similar to any government clinic. The Filter Clinic is located within the Municipal Council of Manzini premises and is open from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm and on Saturdays between 8am and 12noon. Services provided include ante-natal care, family planning and curative services. The clinic is the product of a partnership between the Municipality and the Ministry of Health; whose objective is to provide a patient-volume relief to other health facilities within the city. The facility is well equipped and manned by professional nurses that are provided by the Ministry of Health. User fees range from E20 to E40, depending on the service sought. Most people prefer it because it is located within the city centre and has relatively less queues. The clinic also provides breast cancer screening services on Tuesdays. A medical doctor is available every Wednesday from 8am to 10am.
- HIV/AIDS CLINIC
The Municipality has a clinic that focuses on provision of HIV and AIDS related services to the general members of the public. Named LaMvelase Help Centre, the clinic is located at the corner of Sandlane and Nkoseluhlaza streets, just opposite the Manzini library and its services are free of charge. The Municipality runs the clinic in partnership with partners including Aids HealthCare Foundation (AHF) and the International Centre for Aids Care and Treatment (ICAP). Services provided include Voluntary Counselling and Testing, Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) as well as Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT). The facility is open from Monday to Friday within working hours.