Development

MBABANE – Government is embroiled in a dispute with the Diocese of Eswatini, commonly known as the Anglican Church.

The dispute is over the upgrading and development of a gravel road that passes through church-owned land.

The road, which runs from Luyengo to Ngwenyameni, is set to be tarred. However, the Anglican Church insists that it should be rerouted to pass below the girls’ hostel, an alternative alignment which government officials argue would significantly increase the project’s cost and exceed the allocated budget.

The disagreement has caused deep divisions within the church community. Some members of the Luyengo Parish have openly criticised their superiors in Mbabane, accusing them of obstructing what they describe as a long-awaited development they had been praying for.

Parishioners expressed frustration, saying they could not understand why the church leadership had interfered with the project’s route, particularly since they lacked expertise in civil engineering.

Residents have also voiced anger at the church, claiming it is betraying the community by delaying a project that would benefit both locals and the congregation. The road, they say, becomes muddy and impassable during the rainy season.

“We cannot reach the church when it’s muddy. Now the government wants to build the road, but the church elders in Mbabane are rerouting the project,” lamented a resident and member of the Luyengo Parish yesterday.

“By doing this, it seems the church does not want us to travel on a tarred road. There is no need for any realignment. We want the road to pass next to our church,” he said bitterly.

He added: “If you insist that the road must pass below the girls’ hostel, it means you do not want development and are content with the dusty road.”

Another member of the congregation said they had been praying for a proper road for over 30 years and believed their prayers had finally been answered. He questioned why the church leadership could not appreciate the development cutting through the Usuthu Mission.

“We leave the church covered in dust, and we are angry with the elders in Mbabane. They are frustrating us, and we have a plan to respond to their behaviour,” he warned.

“The church was built by the Luyengo community, and this project will benefit that same community,” he emphasised.

It is understood that the road construction will not affect the church building in any way. “The project does not interfere with or remove any part of the church structure,” another parish member confirmed.

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Countrywide roads upgrade planned, locals to benefit

MBABANE – It must be said that the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini is currently undertaking a nationwide programme to upgrade dirt roads across the country, with the majority of tenders awarded to locally owned construction companies.

According to official documents, tenders have been granted for the upgrading of several key roads, including the Sigangeni–Lundzi, Gobolodlwayini–Tikhuba, Nhlangano–Nedso, Ndlovunga–Ndubazi and Sigangeni–Hebron routes.

Roots Construction has been awarded the tender for the Sigangeni–Hebron road, valued at E70 401 278, while the Nhlangano–Nedso project has been given to a joint venture between Mangethe and Ants, whose bid stood at E218 234 247. Mgcabho Contractors secured the tender for the Gobolodlwayini–Tikhuba road, having submitted a bid of E61 861962.

The tenders for the Sigangeni–Lundzi and Ndlovunga–Ndubazi roads have not yet been finalised. Eight companies have submitted bids for the Sigangeni–Lundzi project, with prices ranging from E93 428 455 67 to E197 753 352.59. However, the lowest bidder is not guaranteed the contract, as all submissions are subject to technical evaluation. Sources have indicated that in some cases, higher bids may still be successful if they meet the technical requirements. Classified documents show that bids for the Ndlovunga–Ndubazi road ranged between E158 966 480.14 and E231 256 155.51. The total value of all current road projects is estimated to be around E500 million.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has confirmed the opening of these tenders. Communications Officer Sandziso Malinga stated that the ministry continued to prioritise the upgrading of rural roads as part of its broader infrastructure development strategy. For the current financial year, the ministry has been allocated E175 million to complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones, with a focus on double-seal and asphalt roads. The feeder roads programme is implemented through the ministry’s in-house design and supervision teams, while construction is outsourced to private contractors.

In its second-quarter report, the ministry reported a capital allocation of E1 209 893 000 for the 2025/26 financial year. As of the end of the reporting period, E271 644 525 had been spent, representing 22 per cent of the allocated budget.

*Full article available on Pressreader*

Government is at loggerheads with the Diocese of Eswatini, popularly known as Anglican Church, over the upgrading and development of a dust road passing through its farm. MP Marwick Khumalo, aged 60, says the road is older than him. (Pics: Mfanukhona Nkambule)

Luyengo parishioners expressed frustration, saying they could not understand why the church leadership had interfered with the project’s route, particularly since they lacked expertise in civil engineering.