By Nokwanda Mamba

MANZINI: Inyatsi Construction, a company with alleged links to King Mswati continues with the looting of public funds, the R1.1 billion Manzini-Sikhuphe highway is now falling apart, eight(8)months after completion. 

Inyatsi Construction whose Director is Michello Shakantu, the husband to Minister of Justice Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu was on or around the year 2010 awarded the tender to build the R1.1 billion worth 52km road that leads to the King Mswati III International Airport in Sikhuphe.

The road was completed in January this year and is now crumbling in exactly eight (8) months.

Derrick Shiba, the Managing Director of Inyatsi Construction  referred questions to the Marketing and Public Relations Manager. 

“Please contact the office, I'm currently in Zambia, to be back tomorrow.Contact the Marketing and PR Manager", he said.

A questionnaire was sent to Ncobile Dlamini, the Marketing and Public Relations Manager, However, she had not responded at the time of compiling this report. 

An inspection of the road by this Swaziland News last week uncovered that there was an about 100 metre fresh patch near Mzimphofu enroute Manzini, a Construction truck was seen busy at work  at Moneni on the lane leading to the Manzini City centre. 

Reached for comments,Mandla  Hlatshwayo, the Chairperson of the Letfu Sonkhe Institute for Strategic Thinking and Development said there was a need for an independent investigation that would hold both Government and Inyatsi accountable adding that the construction company was always favoured when it came to large projects due to its royal connections. 

"It is indeed concerning because it talks to the quality of the road construction and  the warranties provided.It is through the warranties that the State protects the interest of the public.One of the biggest concerns in Swaziland is the weak  governance and supervision of contracts,”he said. 

Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, the Minister of Public Works and Transport had not responded at the time of compiling this report. 

Inyatsi Construction with its links to royalty is dominating Eswatini's construction industry, the company is allegedly using substandard materials to maximise profits.