Mbabane – The Municipal Council of Mbabane (MCM) is making efforts to resolve tensions in the Mangwaneni community.
This comes after the MCM Chief Executive Officer, Gciniwe Fakudze, unveiled that they received a directive from higher authorities to stop servicing the community. Moreover, during the council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), community member Busi Gwebu raised concerns about the lack of municipal services such as waste collection in Mangwaneni.
“We are still waiting for a chance to engage with the community and iron out our differences so that we can begin delivering services and improving lives in Mangwaneni,” Fakudze said.
Magwaneni community has one of the contentious and unique land disputes with the MCM, an urban local government authority, and the Magwaneni Royal Kraal, a customary authority, laying jurisdiction claims.
Fakudze said while Mangwaneni falls under their jurisdiction, the situation is murky due to the dispute but assured that a solution to restoring full municipal services in the area was being explored.
She lamented the state of violence which occasionally happens. Fakudze said the violence has claimed at least one life.
Fakudze emphasised that the matter was now being handled by higher authorities but MCM remains hopeful in finding common ground with residents.
Despite the challenges, Fakudze revealed that the council continues to support the area through a feeding scheme that provides two hot meals daily to vulnerable children. She said this initiative is part of the E2.2 million allocation directed toward community development programmes, including the operation of the Mangwaneni soup kitchen
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