Mbabane — The government has moved to shut down a Buhleni warehouse owned by businessman Malamlela Ndwandwe, warning that an allegedly unauthorised cantilever slab inside the premises could pose a danger to the public.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Buhleni Town Council and the Attorney General have approached the High Court for an urgent interdict preventing Ndwandwe from opening or operating the warehouse on Plot 370 until the structure has been inspected, certified as safe and the required Health Certificate issued.
The government’s case centres on the construction of the cantilever slab, which officials allege was built without a building permit and without the supervision required by law.
In his founding affidavit, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Dr Simon Zwane said officials discovered the alleged contravention during an inspection in July 2026, when Ndwandwe was reportedly preparing the warehouse for business operations.
Zwane said the premises were nearing completion and that there was a risk the warehouse could begin operating before the disputed structure had undergone the necessary safety checks.
He warned that allowing the business to open before the slab was inspected and certified could expose people using the premises to danger.
“To permit the Respondent to operate the warehouse without the cantilever slab having been duly inspected and certified as safe by the Town Council Engineer would be prejudicial to the Applicants,” Zwane stated.
Buhleni Town Engineer Sipho Mkhabela also told the court that he did not supervise the construction of the slab, as required under sections 10 and 13 of the Building Act No. 34 of 1968.
According to Mkhabela, the lack of the required technical supervision meant that the structural safety of the slab had not been established.
The municipality subsequently issued Ndwandwe with a contravention notice on July 14, 2026, directing him to stop operations and remove the allegedly unauthorised structure within 14 days.
However, Town Clerk Gordon Mbuli alleges that Ndwandwe failed to comply with the notice and continued preparing the premises for business.
The government is now asking the High Court to intervene before the warehouse opens, arguing that allowing operations to continue could expose members of the public and prospective tenants to a potential safety hazard.
But the warehouse dispute does not end with Plot 370.
The applicants are also seeking Ndwandwe’s eviction from Plots 183 and 184, where they allege he erected structures without lawful title, building permits and the necessary approvals.
They want the court to grant permission for the demolition of the allegedly unauthorised structures on those properties.
The government further argues that the alleged illegal developments could complicate the administration of the area as authorities work towards establishing full local governance in the Ebuhleni Township.
The matter was set down for hearing before the High Court on Friday, September 4, 2026.
The Attorney General’s Chambers, represented by Siboniso Hlawe, is acting for the applicants.
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