Mbabane – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has released a summary of the Hlathikhulu Commission of Inquiry Report 2026, revealing a wide range of governance failures at the Hlathikhulu Town Board, including land malpractice, unplanned settlements and weak internal controls.
The inquiry was commissioned through Legal Notice No. 113 of 2025 and covered investigations, desktop reviews, fact-finding site visits and interviews with various stakeholders. The Commission was tasked with seven Terms of Reference, with an additional matter arising from its own findings.
Among the areas investigated were the adequacy of internal controls relating to governance, administration and management of the local authority; the rise of unplanned settlements in the urban area; failure to enforce building control measures; malpractice in the allocation and sale of land, both surveyed and serviced or unsurveyed; whether any councillor, official or individual unlawfully benefitted from land dealings; and the adequacy of processes used in preparing the valuation roll. 
The Commission said its work was guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, integrity and constructive outcomes. It submitted 77 recommendations to the Honourable Minister for consideration, aimed at strengthening governance structures, improving transparency and enforcing accountability for identified irregularities.
The report noted that some recommendations involve highly sensitive matters requiring the protection of whistle-blowers, while others require action by institutions outside the Town Board. A number of recommendations relate to individuals no longer employed by the Board, and some are directed at Ministry officials.
The Commission said the recommendations, if implemented, have the potential to reposition Hlathikhulu towards recovery and medium-term revitalisation, though implementation will require an immediate financial injection into the town. The recommendations have been categorised into immediate, short-term and medium-term actions, subject to available financial resources and the necessary political and administrative will at both national and local levels.
The Ministry said the findings and recommendations also carry critical lessons applicable to all towns across the Kingdom.
The Honourable Minister engaged with members of the Hlathikhulu Town Board on Recommendation No. 1 and gave the Council seven days to respond, in line with the principles of natural justice. The report was formally handed over to the Board on 23 April 2026 during a meeting attended by all Hlathikhulu Town Councillors. The Minister’s decision-making authority is guided by Section 107(3) of the Urban Government Act, 1969.
The Ministry extended its appreciation to the Commissioners for their extensive work, as well as to all stakeholders and participants who contributed to the process.
The full Commission of Inquiry Report is available below. The Ministry noted that the report may not be used for any other purposes without appropriate authorisation. The press release was signed by Dr Simon Zwane, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
