MBABANE – Almost half of police residential properties have been declared unfit for human occupation.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) says deteriorating housing and accommodation shortages have forced some officers to share facilities, leading to disputes, health risks and low morale.
Its Second Quarter Performance Report, covering July to September 2026, states that health and environmental officials declared nearly half of police residential properties unsuitable for occupation.
REPS acknowledges that the affected buildings require urgent repairs or replacement.
The service also faces deteriorating police stations and other infrastructure, which it says affects officers’ welfare and policing operations.
Sharing accommodation has increased pressure on utilities and added to maintenance problems. Government allocated E15.75 million to REPS for rehabilitation and security fencing during the 2026/27 financial year.
The funding, under Phase II of the capital development programme, covers several police facilities.
Planned work includes rehabilitating the Police Academy kitchen and removing bat waste from ceilings at police facilities in Tshaneni, Big Bend, Lavumisa, Simunye, Lomahasha and Lubulini.
The Manzini Regional Police Headquarters is also earmarked for rehabilitation. Some work involving bats and their waste was awaiting Tender Board approval during the reporting period.
The service also undertook repairs at Manzini Regional Police Headquarters and the recently damaged Manzini Police Station.
Other work involved residential properties at the Police Training School Camp, Zakhele Camp and NGOSSU.
REPS used some rehabilitation funds during preparations for the annual Police Day. The service acknowledges that the E15.75 million allocation is insufficient to address its infrastructure problems.
REPS also received E13.125 million for institutional housing projects in Mbabane, Lubulini and Hlane. At Lubulini, eight housing units and fencing were completed but awaiting handover during the quarter.
Builders completed the structure of a three-storey residential building at Mbabane Police Camp, designed for 24 occupants. Interior work remained outstanding at September-end, with completion expected within two months after the reporting period.
At Hlane, a 48-room dormitory was completed and ready for occupation, while work on an officers’ canteen continued.
Microprojects supervises the construction projects. REPS also reports that one-bedroom houses built at Buhleni have been occupied.
It is reported that the housing and rehabilitation programmes face financial and administrative challenges. REPS says payment requests for capital projects supervised by Microprojects had been prepared but were awaiting processing through the Accountant General’s Office.
The service warns that cash-flow constraints could delay contractor payments, expose government to litigation and discourage suppliers.
It is said funding shortages could also affect planned policing programmes. The REPS identify rehabilitation and additional housing as necessary to improve officers’ living conditions.
Police housing and rehabilitation
| Item | Reported position |
| Residential properties | Almost half declared unfit |
| Rehabilitation funding | E15.75 million |
| Institutional housing funding | E13.125 million |
| Lubulini | Eight housing units completed |
| Mbabane Police Camp | Building for 24 occupants |
| Hlane | 48-room dormitory completed |
| Buhleni | One-bedroom houses occupied |
| Total rehabilitation requirement | Not disclosed |
