Manzini Municipality Identifies 44 Abandoned Structures

27 April 2022 in Community, News

…this is a huge cause for concern as abandoned structures end up becoming a hideout for criminals as well as a nest for unacceptable citizen behaviour

Issues of abandoned structures are a huge cause for concern amongst city residents and the Municipality alike. This is because they end up being utilised as hideout nests for criminals or ‘storerooms’ for stolen items. Moreover, some citizens end up utilising such structures for unacceptable behaviour; which behaviour accelerates the moral decay within the surrounding community. Furthermore, the presence of such structures in any neighbourhood ends up causing harm to the value of properties within the vicinity. If calls that are received by the Municipality’s 24/7 Call Centre (800 2004/2505 7000) are anything to go by, it is without doubt that such properties cause inexplicable discomfort to neighbouring residents. The term “abandoned structure” refers to a building that remains unoccupied for a period longer than acceptable; which building often ends up in a massive state of deterioration. The Municipal Council of Manzini is acutely concerned about abandonment of buildings in the city, be it residential or non-residential. The Municipality has recently conducted a citywide survey; which survey identified a total of 44 properties that are abandoned within the urban area. These structures are characterized by broken doors and windows as well as unkempt yards. In some cases even pets such as dogs and cats are left in such structures and end up roaming the streets; in the process causing a nuisance to neighbours.

The survey that has been conducted by the Municipality has uncovered that the abandoned structures do not only comprise of dilapidated buildings but a large majority are actually structurally fit. However, with prolonged abandonment they commonly end up in a gross state of dilapidation and a nuisance to neighbouring residents. The reason for the abandonment remains unknown to the Municipality, however, whatever the reason(s) thereof, the Municipality implores property owners to desist from abandoning their properties. There are numerous options that can be explored as opposed to abandonment of property. The following are some of those options;

Selling the property.
Renting it out.
Engaging a security guard to ensure safety and security.
Getting a relative to occupy the property.
Converting it into a guest house through special consent from the Municipality

…OWNERS OF ABANDONED PROPERTIES URGED TO URGENTLY CONTACT MUNICIPALITY

Following the citywide survey of abandoned properties, the Municipal Council of Manzini has made an effort to engage their owners. However, in some instances communication has not been possible. Contact details have changed without the Municipality being informed (and much against the Rating Act, 1995), notices that are sent through the post office have bounced, whilst for those whom the Municipality has email addresses and telephone numbers there is no response at the other end. In view of the above challenges in relation to location of the property owners, the Municipality calls on anyone who may have knowledge of owners of the following property owners to contact it as soon as possible. The Municipality may be contacted on 2508 5042, 2508 5017, 2508 5031, 2508 5000, 2508 5057;

Plot Number	Last Known Property Owner
1. 2/591 Egumeni Street, Zakhele Township	Eswatini Government
2. 481 Egumeni Street, Zakhele Township	Mduduzi Phinda Magongo
3. 51/868 Dr David Hynd Road, Trelawny Park	JP Maduna Myeni Trading
4. 986 Mbuluzi Crescent, Fairview Township	Dumisani Nxumalo
5. 64 Pleasing Prospect, Fairview Township	Mashinini Francis
6. 1019 Mbuluzi Crescent, Fairview Township	Bellinah Dlamini
7. 1162 Mzimpofu Street, Fairview Township	Margaret Lungile Dlamini
8. 975 Lituba Street, Ngwane Park Township	Mvula Malaza
9. 1167 KaShali Street, Ngwane Park Township	God Lives Trust
10. 1191Dr David Hynd Road, Ngwane Park	Thulisile Dlamini
11. 983 Mkhaya Street, Ngwane Park Township	Titus Gama
12. 1/519 Linda Street, Ngwane Park Township	William Nkosi
13. 548 Samuel Street, Ngwane Park Township	Nozizwe Thobile
14. 863 Lihlokohlo Street, Ngwane Park Township	Gladys Ntshali
15. 957 Mthombothi Street, Ngwane Park Township	Alfred Dlamini
16. 826 Tsekwane Street, Ngwane Park Township	Sariyama Makama
17. 837 Stanley Street, Ngwane Park Township	Joubert Johannes Fanie
18. 1310 Inhlatfu Crescent, Madonsa Township	Sipho Henry Matse
19. 1322 Inhlatfu Crescent, Madonsa Township	Sakhile Dlamini
20. 1329 Inhlatfu Crescent, Madonsa Township	Sabelo Sipho Tfwala
21. 672 Mkhiwa Street, Wilmer Park Township	Chrissie Agatha Monsoor

…MANZINI 2022 EARTH DAY: A BIG THANK YOU TO SPONSORS

Fresh from successfully hosting the Green Valentine’s Day which saw a total of 105 trees being planted in the City of Manzini on the 14th February 2022; an event that was closely followed by the 2022 World Water Day (22nd March 2022), which saw over three tonnes of waste being lifted from the city’s rivers, streams and wetlands, the Municipal Council of Manzini, in partnership with Yibutse Green !ction, hosted yet another successful green initiative, that is the 2022 Earth Day. The event saw over 200 citizens from a variety of stakeholders picking up litter at the Manzini Main Bus Rank, Mangwaneni Informal Settlement and the main streets within the city centre. Participating stakeholders included the formal and informal business sector, Manzini-based schools, representatives of public transport operators, Manzini-based Premier League of Eswatini football teams, ratepayers associations representatives and the Eswatini Environment Authority. Almost two tonnes of waste was picked and disposed at the Municipality’s Controlled Dumpsite during the event. Special thanks go to the following sponsors for supporting the green initiative;