Mbabane – The highly anticipated opening of the new Boxer Store in Mbabane was abruptly halted today, leaving shoppers some of whom arrived as early as 6 am frustrated when the doors did not open at the scheduled 7am launch.
The delay was caused by the store’s failure to secure an Occupation Certificate, an important document confirming that the building meets safety and regulatory standards.
According to the Municipal Council of Mbabane, the certificate could not be issued because the developer has not yet met several conditions tied to the building’s approval. Without this document, the store cannot legally operate. Municipal Information and Public Relations Officer Lucky Tsabedze confirmed that the store would remain closed until full compliance is achieved.
Among the disappointed shoppers was Nomsa Nsibande from Mahwalala, who said she arrived “as early as possible” hoping to be among the first inside the new store. She expressed her frustration, saying she felt misled after planning her morning around the opening.
“We woke up early and rushed here for nothing. They should have told us beforehand so we don’t waste our time,” she said.
Store Manager Phelelani Simelane said they had engaged the municipality and were working “overnight” to meet the outstanding requirements, expressing hope that operations could begin later in the morning. One of the conditions includes installing a speed hump at the New Mall traffic lights to manage traffic flow.
A meeting between stakeholders and the municipality on Wednesday also revealed further concerns, including inadequate parking, lack of infrastructure for persons living with disabilities, security issues, and fears of potential congestion once the store begins operating. Some attendees said only municipal officials were equipped to address these concerns, while others felt the meeting was a “waste of time” without the right decision-makers present.
Transport operators raised their own worries about rising traffic and called for measures such as an overhead pedestrian bridge from the Mbabane Bus Rank to the store. Project Manager Nhlanhla Nkonyane said the team is considering converting Dr Walker Street behind the mall into extra parking space to ease congestion.
While some community members insisted the opening should be postponed until all issues are resolved, others argued the store should open immediately and address challenges progressively. Transport operators supported the opening, saying it would boost their operations.
The delay mirrors a previous incident at Mathangeni, where a fully fitted Boxer store remained unopened for months. Boxer Stores Regional Manager Jeremiah Mkhonta assured residents that the store is ready for business but emphasised that the final decision lies with the municipality.
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