BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – The theft of railway fencing intended to protect railway infrastructure has raised concern over the safety of public assets, with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport urging communities to help safeguard facilities designed to serve and protect the public.
Under Secretary Richard Phungwayo made the call while representing the Principal Secretary at the launch of Railway Safety Week 2026 at The George Hotel in Manzini on October 12, 2026.
Phungwayo urged community leaders to encourage residents to protect public property, warning that theft and vandalism undermine development efforts and compromise the safety and usefulness of essential infrastructure.
He said public assets were established to benefit communities and that residents had a responsibility to ensure they were properly used, respected and preserved.
“Protecting public infrastructure is a collective responsibility. Community leaders must encourage residents to safeguard these assets and ensure that they are used responsibly for the benefit of everyone,” Phungwayo said.
The call comes as some communities continue to steal fencing installed by Eswatini Railway (ESR) to secure railway areas. Removing the fencing weakens efforts to protect railway infrastructure and can expose railway property to unauthorised access, creating potential safety risks.
Phungwayo said the theft and destruction of public property also placed an unnecessary burden on public finances, as resources had to be spent repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure instead of being directed towards other development needs.
He emphasised that community leaders were well positioned to educate residents about the importance of protecting public assets and discouraging acts that threaten safety and undermine service delivery.
“Public property belongs to the people. We must protect it, use it responsibly and ensure that it continues to serve its intended purpose,” he said.
Phungwayo called on residents to cooperate with relevant authorities by reporting suspected theft, vandalism and damage to public infrastructure.
He stressed that protecting public assets required a united effort involving government, traditional leaders, community structures and residents. He said communities stood to benefit when infrastructure was preserved, as this helped ensure that public resources continued serving their intended purpose.
Safeguarding railway fencing and other public infrastructure is essential to protecting railway facilities, supporting safer railway operations and preserving resources needed for national development.
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