Finally, a solution to easing traffic exiting Matsapha town during peak hours. The Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) and Matsapha Town Council (MTC) have collaborated towards an initiative that will help ease traffic exiting Matsapha Town. The exercise or traffic control happens between 4.30pm – 5.30pm from Mashayitafula Junction to Mathangeni.
Matsapha Town Council being an industrial hub has about 20 000 people coming in and out the town. With only 2 exit routes, it is no wonder that traffic becomes the biggest challenge faced by the town. The exercise initiated by REPS is in no doubt a miracle solution, helping motorists exit Matsapha efficiently. To test the efficiency of the route between the traffic control hour, it was found that it takes about 3 minutes for vehicles to exit Matsapha. The time frame was also tested and confirmed by Matsapha Town Council Town Clerk, Lucky Sukati. This is a drastic improvement considering that it initially took about 30 minutes or more to exit the town.
The Route
At 4.30pm the route from Police College Road at Mashayitafula junction leading to MR3 the Mbabane- Manzini Highway is changed into a one way. This allows traffic leaving Matsapha to use the route as dual lane, allowing traffic to move freely and efficiently.
Oncoming traffic from Manzini, coming into Matsapha is diverted at Logoba, which prevents any vehicles coming into the route from Mathengeni to Mashayitafula. Motorists coming into Matsapha can enter using 1st Avenue, near Eswatini Beverages and Big Tree Complex (Galp Filing Station). The entry point has a number of routes that can be taken at the junction, depending on where the Motorist would like to go.
Way Forward
The exercise is expected to be rolled out in phases as it is still being tested. Currently the Phase I is in effect which is focused on monitoring the effectiveness of traffic exiting Matsapha town. The public is therefore advised to make use of the Mashayitafula – Mathangeni Route. Matsapha Town Council will soon work on temporal signage to be mounted along the route, so the exercise continues even on rainy days. It has been noted that motorist driving to Mbabane normally use the Mahhala exit route. REPS Matsapha Station Commander, Patrick Ginindza advised that motorist driving on Police College Road going to Mbabane to make use of the Mashayitafula – Mathangeni route to ease traffic around Mahhala. For an all-round flow of traffic, REPS and MTC are already in discussion on also monitoring and controlling traffic coming into Matsapha. This exercise will be considered in Phase II.
We encourage all Motorist to exercise caution and patience while the exercise is carried out to ensure the safety of all.
POLICE WARN TAXI DRIVERS USING INFORMAL ROUTES
The Royal Eswatini Police Service, Matsapha Station Commander, Patrick Ginindza has warned taxi drivers against using informal routes as it may cause accidents that could be avoided. Since Phase I of the traffic control exercise was started, taxis have been noted to be using the informal route from Airport Road, into the bypass road near Matsapha Evangelical Church which then leads Mhlane.
Since this route is not a formal route, motorists that use the route motorists are more likely to run over children, livestock and/or possible cause other accidents. It is on this regard that taxi drivers are requested to use the main road, and are assured that they will be able to exit Matsapha as efficiently.
