BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – In a bid to ease traffic issues and improve mobility, Matsapha Town Council has invested E31.7 million in rehabilitating 3 200 metres of key industrial roads.
The rehabilitation forms part of Council’s efforts to improve the condition of key roads and support smoother movement within Matsapha’s industrial area.
The project targeted King Mswati III Street and Matalatala Street, two major industrial routes that carry significant volumes of heavy trucks, logistics vehicles and other traffic.
According to Council’s 2025/26 Annual Report, the project was financed through a long-term loan secured from Standard Bank Eswatini in April 2025. The loan is repayable over 60 months at the Prime interest rate.
Council Chief Executive Officer Sizwe Dlamini said infrastructure development and maintenance remained a key priority, with Council directing more resources towards road rehabilitation and patching.
“We continued to engage with national government and various key stakeholders with an aim to mobilise financial support and strategic partnerships, to address the traffic congestion and infrastructure backlog,” Dlamini said.
He said Council remained optimistic that its engagements would help improve mobility and address infrastructure challenges affecting Matsapha.
The rehabilitation works included resurfacing, drainage improvements, street furniture and pedestrian walkways, particularly along Matalatala Street.
The project also included rehabilitation of the Ludvonga and Matalatala Streets intersection near Eswatini Beverages.
The improved roads were opened to all traffic in August 2025, almost a month ahead of the planned completion date.
At the time of reporting, the contractor was completing minor ancillary works, including road edges and landscaping.
The investment also increased the value of Matsapha’s road infrastructure.
During the financial year, additions to roads amounted to E27.8 million, while E6 million was transferred from Work in Progress.
After depreciation of E7 million, the net book value of roads increased by E20.9 million to E47.7 million.
Roads now account for more than half of Council’s total property, plant and equipment, valued at E89.7 million.
Matsapha has an 83km road network, meaning the 3 200 metres rehabilitated through the project represents about four per cent of the municipality’s total road network.
The rehabilitated sections are among the municipality’s key industrial routes, making their condition important for the movement of heavy vehicles, goods and other traffic.
Council also recorded road maintenance expenditure of E826 237 during the financial year, covering road maintenance and signage.
A further E412 575 was spent on drainage maintenance, supporting the protection and functionality of the road network.
The road rehabilitation project was presented as part of Council’s 2025/26 Annual General Meeting, where stakeholders were updated on municipal performance, progress and infrastructure priorities.
Dlamini said the road investment formed part of Council’s broader commitment to strengthening Matsapha’s infrastructure and supporting economic activity.
“We are building a stronger Matsapha through resilient infrastructure, responsive service delivery and strategic partnerships that translate our vision into meaningful progress for our people and our economy,” he said.
(Courtesy Pic)
