MBABANE – A bread crisis has emerged in some rural areas as bakery delivery trucks cannot access them due to the slippery, muddy roads.
This has left some communities without a stable supply, as traversing the unpaved road network has, in recent weeks, remained difficult.
As such, the breadbasket has effectively run dry in several constituencies, forcing some residents to walk up to 10 kilometres just to buy a single loaf.
Since December 2025, community members in some areas within Maphalaleni Constituency have been entirely without bread, with the last successful delivery recorded during the festive season.
Maphalaleni Bucopho Lusekwane Nxumalo confirmed that some communities are facing similar shortages. He said poor road conditions have made it impossible for bakeries to reach local groceries.
Nxumalo said some drivers attempt to navigate the impassable terrain, areas such as Enkalangeni and Ephuzweni remain completely unreachable.
“A bridge was totally destroyed around KaTwele, forcing shop owners to carry crates of bread by hand,” Nxumalo said.
He noted that residents at Ebulimeni are also facing a shortage, as deliveries cannot reach them.
“We have been facing this situation for about a month, ever since the heavy rainfall started,” Nxumalo stated.
However, he clarified that shops located along the main road and near the Maphalaleni Umphakatsi are not experiencing shortages, as bakeries can still access those locations.
Magagula warned that if the predicted rainfall continues in the coming days, more roads will become totally impassable, further hindering the community’s access to essential services.
Meanwhile, at Ludlawini, the situation has reached a breaking point as residents have spent the past week navigating a treacherous 10-kilometre terrain on foot.
This is because bakery delivery trucks are unable to traverse the slippery roads leading to the area. Ludlawini Bucopho Masoka Magagula stated that it has been about a week since several local shops began struggling to stock bread.
He said bakeries are currently unable to reach these businesses to make deliveries due to severely damaged roads and bridges.
“Even now, there are shops without bread and the owners have contacted me to report the shortage,” Magagula said.
He explained that delivery trucks are only able to reach Mahidzili, an area near the Ndzingeni-Pigg’s Peak Road.
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Bakeries suffering double jeopardy
MBABANE – Bakeries are suffering double jeopardy as persistent rains continue across the country.
Random interviews with some bakery operators have indicated that they are now compelled to spend money they had not budgeted for on tow trucks, as their delivery vehicles have frequently become stuck in the mud nationwide.
A logistics manager from one of the companies revealed that significant funds had been spent on tow trucks due to their delivery trucks becoming immobilised in muddy conditions.
The manager stated that, over the past three days, the company had incurred expenses on tow trucks after their vehicles became stuck.
“Our delivery truck got stuck in the muddy road at around 10am at Ndzingeni today. We had to hire a tow truck, which cost us E6 000 from here. This was a substantial loss for the company, as the expenditure was not budgeted for,” he explained. He stated that the tow truck arrived at the delivery vehicle at around 1pm, which means they lost three hours.
The manager added that other delivery trucks had also become stuck at Dvudvusini in Mankayane and Maphalaleni. He noted that, beyond the costs of hiring tow trucks, the company also faces expenses related to repairs, as breakdowns are frequent.
Furthermore, he explained that the delays caused by the muddy roads result in the loss of time, which subsequently leads to the loss of customers.
“Our business requires timely deliveries to the rural population, where our products are in high demand. Late arrivals have serious consequences because we operate in a competitive environment. Even if a customer is interested in purchasing our products, they often end up buying what is available at the time, as they cannot wait,” he said.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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