BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – The vandalism of public property is placing an unnecessary financial burden on the Municipal Council of Manzini, diverting funds that could otherwise be used to improve community services and support the city’s development.
Acting Municipal Council Chief Executive Officer Bonginkosi Simelane raised concern over the destruction of public amenities during the Municipal Council of Manzini’s 2026 Stakeholder Budget Consultation Meeting held at the Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Simelane called on community police to help identify those responsible for vandalising public property and urged residents to stop the practice.
“Community police should help us find those who vandalise public property,” he said.
He also appealed to the public to protect municipal infrastructure, warning that vandalism comes at a cost to the entire community.
“I call on the public to stop vandalising public property and help protect the infrastructure that belongs to all of us,” Simelane said.
He explained that the municipality has to spend money repairing or replacing damaged facilities, reducing the funds available for other development priorities and service delivery.
“When public property is damaged, the Council has to use money to repair it instead of using those resources for other community needs,” he said.
The call came as residents raised concerns about deteriorating roads, dusty neighbourhoods, access to municipal services and the need for a people-centred approach to budgeting.
Simelane emphasised that protecting public amenities requires cooperation between the municipality and residents. Public infrastructure is intended to serve the wider community, and its destruction affects everyone who depends on these facilities.
Vandalism also places pressure on municipal finances at a time when residents expect improvements to roads, public spaces and essential services. Preventing avoidable damage would help the Council direct more resources towards addressing these priorities.
Residents were encouraged to take collective ownership of Manzini’s development by safeguarding public property and reporting acts of vandalism.
Protecting municipal infrastructure is essential to ensuring that public investments continue to benefit residents and future generations.
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