By Nokwanda Mamba

MZIMNENE: Steffanuti Stocks, a construction company that was forced by Ticantfwini residents to rehabilitate their roads has since abandoned the area citing alleged security risks.

This comes after residents of the area allegedly held the construction company’s machinery hostage, demanding that it fix their roads, 

The company was accused of sourcing gravel from the area for the purposes of constructing the Manzini-Mbadlane Highway without compensating the residents.

Speaking to this Swaziland News Mdumiseni Ndzinisa, the Bucopho for the Mzimnene Chiefdom confirmed the matter.

“Steffanuti has been transporting gravel from Ticantfwini under a written agreement with umphakatsi authorities on how the community would be compensated.In the agreement, the community was promised two bridges which the rehabilitation of the roads was not part of since the company cited its policies on Government roads.It then decided to relocate its machinery back to the Coates Valley site after residents and transport operators organised themselves to demand the rehabilitation of their roads", he said.

Efforts to reach Steffanuti Stocks Management proved unsuccessful and Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, the Minister of Public Works and Transport had not responded at the time of compiling this report. 

It has been gathered that after being forced to rehabilitate the gravel roads at Ticantfwini, the company then relocated to Ngculwini where it is currently sourcing the gravel that is used in the construction of the Coates Valley interchange. As a result of the tension within the area, residents told this publication that there were fears that the company’s machinery might be burnt.