BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
SIKHUPHE – Communities in the Hlane and Malindza Chiefdoms have welcomed ongoing efforts by government to improve road safety along the MR3 highway through practical solutions aimed at reducing accidents caused by stray cattle.
The positive discussions took place on May 21, 2026 during a stakeholder engagement convened by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in the Sikhuphe area, where residents and government officials worked together to identify sustainable measures to keep livestock away from public roads.
Communities Support Safer Roads
Residents demonstrated strong commitment towards improving road safety, acknowledging the dangers posed by livestock wandering onto highways and the need for urgent but lasting interventions.
Community members highlighted that safer roads would not only protect motorists and livestock owners, but would also contribute positively to tourism, transport efficiency and economic development.
During the engagement, residents openly discussed some of the challenges contributing to the problem, including the theft of road reserve fencing in certain areas, which has left sections of the highway vulnerable to livestock crossings.
Practical Solutions Proposed
Among the key recommendations made by the communities was a proposal for the Ministry to supply barbed wire to strengthen damaged fencing along the road reserve. Residents noted that barbed wire could provide a more durable and sustainable solution while discouraging theft.
The communities also pledged to work hand-in-hand with government in repairing and maintaining fencing infrastructure to ensure livestock remain safely away from the road.
Another major proposal was the installation of cattle grids at six identified locations along the affected corridor. Residents believe the cattle grids would significantly reduce livestock movement onto the highway and improve overall safety for motorists.
Government Commends Community Cooperation
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Thulani Mkhaliphi, praised residents for taking an active role in finding solutions to a challenge affecting their communities.
He commended the spirit of cooperation shown during the engagement and encouraged continued collaboration between government and residents to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed interventions.
Statistics Highlight Need for Action
The engagement comes as national stakeholders continue strengthening efforts to reduce accidents involving stray livestock on public roads, particularly along major highways such as the MR3.
Institutions including the Royal Eswatini Police Service and the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund have repeatedly emphasized the importance of improving road safety measures, especially during periods of poor visibility in the mornings and evenings.
According to road safety reports, the Road Safety Council of Eswatini recorded 155 road fatalities and more than 6 100 crashes nationwide by November 2025, highlighting the urgent need for continued interventions.
Earlier reports also revealed that 389 accidents linked specifically to cattle were recorded within a six-month period, making stray livestock one of the leading contributors to road crashes involving animals.
In some communities such as Buhleni, reports indicated that nearly 60 percent of fatal road accidents were associated with stray cattle, underlining the importance of stronger livestock control measures.
Road accidents are estimated to cost the country approximately E1.6 billion annually through medical costs, insurance claims, infrastructure damage and productivity losses.
The MR3 highway, particularly between Mafutseni and Lukhula, remains one of the country’s busiest routes and has been identified as an area requiring stronger livestock control measures due to the high traffic volumes using the road daily.
Hope for Long-Term Improvement
Residents expressed optimism that the proposed cattle grids, reinforced fencing and stronger community involvement would help create safer roads and reduce livestock-related accidents in the future.
The engagement highlighted the importance of cooperation between communities and government in building practical and sustainable solutions that protect lives, property and the country’s transport network.
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