MPOLONJENI, ESWATINI – Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla visited several vulnerable households in Mpolonjeni Inkhundla on Tuesday to assess families living in dangerous housing conditions and determine those eligible for government assistance.
The visit followed a recent announcement by His Majesty King Mswati III during a tour of the constituency, where he pledged to donate 10 proper houses to the most affected families. Local leaders had earlier identified 15 households urgently needing decent shelter across the Inkhundla.
Many of the families live in collapsing mud-and-stick homes, weathered grass-thatched huts, or rusted iron structures that leak heavily when it rains. In several instances, extended families with more than ten members—spanning from grandparents to grandchildren—are forced to squeeze into single-room shelters.
In the Sigcaweni community, a particularly severe case was found involving Aaron Dlamini, who currently shelters in a small room with his pregnant wife and three children. The structure was provided by the umphakatsi while the family awaits the construction of a new house on land allocated by the community.
Dladla stated during the visit that some of the families qualify for the King’s pledged homes, while others will be supported through the construction of two-roomed houses. She noted that delays in intervention could lead to tragic consequences, as some of the homes are on the brink of collapse.
Concerns were also raised about the high number of people living with disabilities in these vulnerable households, including children and the elderly, with many lacking proper support or facilities.
Mpolonjeni Member of Parliament Kwanele Ndzimandze, who joined the tour, called on neighbours and community members to assist with labour once construction gets underway.
Officials from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and the National Disaster Management Agency were part of the visiting delegation.
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