Motorists Urged Not to Give to Jaywalking Street Beggars
…jaywalking exposes them to the danger of traffic accidents
The Municipal Council of Manzini is concerned with the increasing number of street beggars (also referred to as street collectors) who jaywalk onto passing vehicles requesting for money or any other form of assistance. The illegal practice is common occurrence along Tenbergen street, particularly by The Hub traffic intersection and the Cathedral traffic intersection. Lately, it has been spotted in other streets as well. Jaywalking remains a crime in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Street begging without permission from the Municipality is also a prosecutable offence. What is of the highest concern, however, on the part of the Municipality is that the jaywalkers put themselves at the risk of traffic accidents. The street collectors, most of whom have visual impairment, can easily be bumped by vehicles. The Municipality, together with the Royal Eswatini Police Service, has engaged them several times; sensitizing them against the practice, however, they continue to engage in it. The Municipality is aware that perhaps the most effective action that can put this practice to an end would be to have them arrested. However, as a caring Municipality we believe that such an option can be the last resort. Whilst the Municipality understands the compassion and willingness to help the street collectors, motorists are requested to desist from giving money or any form of assistance to jaywalking street collectors. In that way, they will be discouraged from engaging in the illegal practice. This will not only promote safety but it will also contribute to a more sustainable solution to the challenge. The Municipality appeals to members of the public to help create a safer environment for everyone on the city’s roads. Through engagements, the street collectors have expressed a desire to be assisted into lawful and sustainable means of generating income for their families. The Municipality is exploring certain avenues relevant to their request. Employers are requested to practice inclusivity by creating employment opportunities to those that have certain capabilities and skills relevant to their businesses and organisations. Lessons learnt are that some of the people with disabilities are equally capable of performing certain responsibilities in the workplace.
2023 QUALITY AWARDS: MUNICIPALITY WINS DESPITE ORDER TO TAKE A BREAK
The Municipal Council of Manzini has once again won in both the 2023 Eswatini Quality Awards and SADC Quality Awards. This is despite communication to the effect that the local authority needs to take a break from the awards because she has been winning for three consecutive years. Information gathered is that any entity that had been winning continuously for up to three consecutive years must take a one year break and give others a chance. The Municipality won the Organisation of the Year Award and Service of the Year Award in 2020, 2021 and 2022. What is exciting is that, despite being barred from participating under the two categories, the Municipality decided to go ahead and participate under the Eswatini Conformity Assessment Body of the Year Award and the SADC Individual of the Year Award and still brought awards home. In the 2023 Eswatini Quality Awards, the Municipality’s laboratory came up tops under the Conformity Assessment of the Year category whilst the local authority’s Quality and Risk Manager, Khombisile Dlamini, got second position in the 2023 SADC Individual of the Year Award category. The Municipality congratulates all entities that won this year. The Eswatini Quality Awards is an initiative by the Eswatini Government, in particular the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, to recognize organizations and individuals who have successfully implemented outstanding quality standards and quality management systems for their goods and services. The awards aim to promote a quality culture in Eswatini through the use of quality principles, practices and management systems in business operations. Winners in the local quality awards become eligible to join the SADC awards, which involves 16 countries.
…MUNICIPALITY CONDEMNS HARASSMENT AT BUS RANK
The Municipal Council of Manzini is deeply concerned and saddened by the recent incident of harassment experienced by a woman at the Manzini Main Bus Rank. As a Municipality we would like to strongly condemn these acts and stand in solidarity with the affected individual. The Municipality notes that this is not the first time such an incident happening at our bus rank and would like to urge public transport workers and other members of the public to desist from such indecent behaviour. We would like to emphasise that everyone has the right to move freely in our city, including the bus rank, without fear of harassment or discrimination. Each citizen has the right to their choice of clothing and it is not for anyone to judge or harass them based on their dress code. Harassment of any form is unacceptable and goes against our core values as a Municipality. The Municipality is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all citizens and visitors. We encourage mutual respect and understanding amongst all citizens of the city. The Municipality will continue to sensitise public transport operators against this behaviour during her continual engagements with them.
…CITY LANDMARK DESIGN COMPETITION
The Municipal Council of Manzini is running a city landmarks design competition wherein the best designs stand to win prizes ranging from E2,000 to E6,000. A landmark in this context may be defined as a conspicuous object on land that marks a locality, utilised as a point of orientation and often visible from a long distance. These may include structures, landscape monuments, sculptures, etc. A landmark creates a sense of place for a city, making it more memorable. The Municipality believes that by allowing city citizens to participate in shaping the city’s landscape, more innovative ideas may be explored and harnessed to align her vision of a vibrant African city. Competition participants are urged to be as innovative as possible in their approaches. Both individuals and companies are welcome to submit their proposals via email to tiven@mzcitycouncil.sz or submit them at the civic offices not later that 10am, Thursday, 30th November 2023. For more information, interested participants may contact the Municipality on the official WhatsApp numbers (7808 2333/7908 2333). The following are the prizes;
- 1st Prize – E6,000
- 2nd Prize – E4,000
- 3rd Prize – E2,000
