Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Mbabane Municipal Council has encouraged residents to report abandoned houses around the city that may be promoting illegal activities, saying community vigilance is critical to protecting learners and strengthening public health.
The call was made on April 16, 2026, during an obesity awareness session for teachers on food safety in schools held in Mbabane, where educators raised concerns about the impact of abandoned buildings on learner behaviour and safety.
Leading the municipality response, Zinhle Mamba, Senior Health Inspector at Mbabane Municipal Council, said the council remained committed to maintaining safe and healthy communities through regular inspections and enforcement.
She said abandoned houses and unregistered premises created opportunities for unsafe activities that could put children at risk.
“As the municipal council, we are responsible for inspections and ensuring that businesses and food-related operations comply with health regulations. It is not acceptable for products to be manufactured from premises that are unknown to us,” she said.
Mamba encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious activities and abandoned properties so the council could investigate and take action.
She also addressed concerns over reports that learners were allegedly buying alcohol shots said to be above 65 per cent alcohol content from a Chinese restaurant in the city.
“This is a serious matter and we will attend to it. The safety and wellbeing of learners remain a priority for the municipality,” she said.
Responding to the concerns, Sibusiso SikhosaneMunicipal Council Health Inspector said the council took the matter seriously and would investigate all reported cases.
He said the council had previously tried to trace reports circulating on social media about a three-bedroom house allegedly being used to manufacture ice pops sold to learners.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the house because we did not have enough information. This is why we are encouraging members of the public to report such places so we can inspect them and take action,” he said.
Teachers at the session said some abandoned houses in parts of Mbabane were being used by learners for smoking and other harmful activities, which was affecting discipline and learner wellbeing.
The concerns in Mbabane echo similar reports raised recently in the Mafucula community under Mhlumeni Inkhundla, where residents said neglected government houses had become hideouts for truants and criminals.
The municipal council said stronger collaboration between residents, schools and health inspectors would help create safer communities and support better learning environments for children.
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