BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – As persistent rains continue to affect parts of the country, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Victor Mahlalela, has called on Emaswati to embrace the spirit of Buntfu by standing together and protecting one another during this challenging period.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, 16 January 2026, Mahlalela said 25 houses have collapsed due to persistent heavy rainfall, urging communities to remain vigilant and to assist neighbours whose homes show signs of structural danger.
Mahlalela encouraged neighbours to look out for one another, particularly those living in vulnerable structures, and appealed to families and communities to offer temporary refuge to anyone whose home shows signs of danger. He noted that in some areas access remains limited due to saturated and slippery rural roads, and poor visibility caused by fog, making it difficult for emergency teams and air support to reach affected communities immediately. He therefore urged neighbours to continue supporting one another until NDMA teams are able to reach them.
“A neighbour must help a neighbour,” Mahlalela stressed. “If a house is collapsing, or if it looks unsafe, people must not be left alone. Open your doors, provide shelter, and protect life.”
He issued a clear and caring warning to residents living in stick-and-mud houses, saying these structures are especially at risk during prolonged rainfall. Mahlalela explained that when water begins dripping from the roof or soaking into mud walls, it is a clear danger sign.
Mahlalela also reassured the nation that government and disaster response teams remain on high alert, particularly in the Lubombo Region, which has been the most affected by swollen rivers and saturated ground. He said continuous assessments are being conducted as rainfall persists.
As the rains continue, the NDMA urges all citizens to remain alert, heed safety warnings, and most importantly, stand together as one nation, ensuring that no one faces the danger alone.
