Times Of Swaziland: PRINCE’S FAMILY STOPS E11M PROJECT

PRINCE’S FAMILY STOPS E11M PROJECT
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BY NTOMBI MHLONGO on 03/07/2017 08:59:00


LOZITHA – A development of E11 million is in limbo following that family
members of Prince Mahlaba are opposed to the project.
The project is the construction of the Lusushwana River Bridge.
The proposed E11 million bridge is supposed to be constructed next to the
newly-built plush houses at Lozitha.
The houses were built for residents who were removed from their homes to give
space for the prestigious Mandvulo Hall, a few years ago.
It has been gathered that the construction has had to be halted following that
the family of Prince Mahlaba does not want it built next to their home but at
another area, not far from the one that was approved. The home is situated a few
metres from the Lusushwana River and the family has argued that constructing a
main road and a bridge next to their home would cause noise.
The construction company which was awarded the tender to build the bridge is
currently not doing any work following the dispute, which saw the driver of its
tractor being attacked.
The driver was allegedly threatened by one of the family members, who told him
that he was going to shoot him.
Already, there is a tarred road which connects the homes with the main
Lobamba-Manzini Road.
One of Prince Mahlaba’s sons, Sibhimbi Dlamini, told this newspaper in no
uncertain terms that there was no way the bridge would be built next to his
home.
Dlamini said he was disappointed that those who were responsible for the
construction of the road and bridge did not want to listen to the concerns of
the residents.
He argued that he was unhappy with the fact that they were never consulted when
the area’s elders reached an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Planning
and Development and Micro Projects Swaziland for the construction of the bridge.
Sibhimbi mentioned that they were not against the construction per ser but that
they were opposed to the approved area as it was too close to their homes.
He pointed to an area nearby where he said was where the bridge was supposed to
be constructed and not next to his family’s home.