Nkaba Member of Parliament Hope Shiba says he will move a motion in Parliament calling for an urgent halt to the evictions and demolition of homes built by residents on farms in the area.
Shiba made the remarks during a meeting held at the Nkhaba Royal Kraal yesterday to discuss development issues and the evictions, which could see about 1 000 homes demolished because they were constructed on farms.
Addressing residents, Shiba said while the committee they had selected was working on the matter and seeking an audience with the king to request his intervention, Parliament was also taking action.
He said the motion was already with the office of the speaker, which was considering whether it should be tabled as a motion or raised as a question to the relevant minister.
He said the proposed motion specifically addressed the plight of Nkhaba residents whose homes had been demolished and sought to ensure that the matter was dealt with urgently.
Shiba said he had raised the issue and it would soon be brought before Parliament, with the aim of stopping the demolition and evictions.
He added that the motion would also seek to establish the authenticity of ownership of the farms.
The MP said they also wanted residents on the farms to have access to basic services.
He revealed that they had been informed that some households could not access electricity because the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) was adamant about not connecting homes built on farms.
Meanwhile, Shiba commented on the motion on compulsory DNA testing moved by Mhlambanyatsi MP Dr Bonginkhosi Dlamini and seconded by Mahlangatsha MP Mgucisi Dlamini.
He said the spirit of the motion was to consult the nation on the impact of DNA-related issues, but it was not adopted.
Shiba also highlighted development taking place in the area, encouraging residents to make use of the Regional Development Fund (RDF), as some projects had already been approved.
He said the Hawane 1 road was among those that had been approved after residents raised E70 000 towards the project, while Hawane 2 residents had contributed E65 000.
He added that the Mahlafuna road under Mnyokane had raised E37 000.
Shiba said work on the roads would start soon, as he had previously advised residents that once they raised the required 10% contribution, Microprojects would begin assisting them
