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Mpolonjeni becoming an urban area

05/06/2011 00:00:00 NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA

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MPOLONJENI – Residents here are unhappy that their area is now earmarked for conversion into an urban area.

The Municipal Council of Mbabane is extending its boundaries to encompass the area, which is currently under a chief.

This means it is known as Swazi Nation Land (SNL).

Residents feel turning the place into an urban area will have more negatives than positives.

They were recently informed by Chief Petros Dvuba in one of their meetings that the council has identified the area as a developed one.

The residents were told that the authorities were still waiting for a formal meeting where this issue would be discussed at length with the relevant parties.

The community was assured that if the council had approached them formally, they would be the first ones to know.

However, most residents especially those who attended the meeting were not pleased with the news from the Chief.

They have made it clear that they would rather spend everything they have on legal fees or anything else to stop the council from urbanising the area.

During the meeting, the residents asked their leaders to inform them before any final decision was taken on the matter.

Jabu Hlophe, Mpolonjeni Zone Leader, told the Times SUNDAY that there was absolutely no way they would allow the council to take over the area.

"There are people who have worked hard to make this area what it is today," she said.

"Just because we have been building our mansions here, the council now wants to take over the area. To us this is just unfair. Everyone is unhappy with what was said and we are all waiting to hear what will happen next."

She said one of the problems was that they would now be forced to pay rates something that is not good at all.

"There are people who don’t work and they cannot be in a position to pay rates," she said.

"We know rates are expensive and most of us cannot afford to pay them. It is one of the reasons why we feel we are better off this way. I know the disadvantages and the advantages of being led by the council and we are better being the way we are."

She said if they would allow the area to be urban it would mean no one will be allowed to have chickens or cattle in his or her yard.

"Most of us also have cattle and chickens and we cannot do without them," she said.

"The council has too many restrictions and these restrictions are too much for us. They will not allow us to have cattle in our homes because they would tell us that this is an urban area. We will now be confined to certain rules something which is not good."

Thomas Mabuza, the area’s headman (Indvuna), said they were aware that the council wanted to urbanise the area but were still waiting for a formal meeting where the matter would be discussed.

"Here, we keep cattle, which the council will not let us have when they take over the area," he said.

"Some of the cattle belong to His Majesty and therefore there is no way you can turn this area into an urban area. It should be known that this is a chiefdom and it is very difficult to turn it into an urban area because it would mean you are taking all the powers away from the chief. This is just impossible," he said.

He insisted that as people who have been tasked to look after the area, they will make it a point that they involve all the residents when the issue has been brought to them formally.

"Although the chief mentioned the issue during one of the meetings, the residents made it clear that there were serious issues that need to be looked at before any decision could be made. I can only say that the residents would be informed if there were any changes that would be effected."

...City council bides its time

MBABANE – The Municipal Council of Mbabane has described Mpolonjeni as an upmarket area.

However, the council cannot turn the place into an urban area until it gets a go-ahead from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Bongani Dlamini, the council’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) said although they see that the area was now an upmarket place.

"It is the ministry that tells us that a certain area should be made urban and thereafter we take it from there," he said.

"Once the ministry communicates with us, we will definitely act. As of now, it is the ministry that will be in a position to give full details on the matter.

Clifford Mamba, the ministry’s Principal Secretary (PS) could not be reached for comment as his phone was not available on the network.

An attempt to call him was first made on Friday and the last was made yesterday morning but still he could not be reached.

Also not reached for comment was Minister Lindiwe Dlamini, whose phone rang without being answered.

She was called on Friday but could not be reached. The minister was also called yesterday but still she could not pick up.

Picks and shovels build a road

MPOLONJENI – The community of Mpolonjeni outside Mbabane has come together to build a proper road so that the area becomes easily accessible.

One of those responsible for the project is Mpendulo Gamedze who uses a pickaxe, shovel and wheelbarrow.

Gamedze was found patching the gravel road leading to the area. He has been doing this for a year now. He is not paid for doing this job which he does on a daily basis. instead, he receives donations from the residents who happen to like the idea.

Gamedze told the Times SUNDAY that the road was not good and therefore he saw it proper that he should help in patching it.

"I use a pick, a shovel and a wheelbarrow," he said.

"At times, people had to leave their vehicles next to the shop and walk home because of the road. However, after I came with this idea, I received support from a number of people. Others have been helping me physically while others have been supporting me financially."

He said he was doing this because he loved the area and because he was currently not employed. "As you can see, the road is improving day by day and this is because of what I am doing," he said.

"As long as I have time, I will continue working on the road so it would be easy for the people when driving home."

Meanwhile, Jabu Hlophe, Mpolonjeni Zone leader said the residents were united and were in a mission to improve the area.

"We are aware that there have been several complaints about the road. however, this does not mean that we now want the council to come and help us," she said. "As you can see, there are people who are committed to improving the infrastructure. This shows that we can do without the council."

Meanwhile, another resident only identified as Mkhabela said the people had mixed feelings on the council taking over the area.

"This is a serious issue as people are talking about it now and again," he said. "However, it seems as if people have mixed feelings as others feel they would be deprived of benefits which they are currently enjoying. When the council takes over the area,the infrastructure improves. You get access to water and also the road is improved. However, you are then limited to some of the things which include having chickens and cattle within your home. We will wait for the relevant people to take a proper decision on the matter."