The Democratic Alliance (DA) Safety Emergency and Security Committee conducted an oversight visit on Thursday, 11 September, to the municipal tent shelters for the homeless on Molyneux Road and Greyville Road. The visit highlighted the slow pace of intervention by eThekwini Municipality in addressing the growing number of homeless people on Durban’s streets.
In June, the Denis Hurley Centre, in partnership with the Safety Emergency and Security Committee and ANC Ward 26 councillor Sbusiso Lushaba, identified 25 homeless individuals living near Strollers in South Beach. The Centre’s social workers profiled the group for placement in the municipal shelters, which were originally established during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, eThekwini municipality insisted on conducting its own profiling before the individuals could be allocated space in the male and female shelters.
DA Whip of the Safety Emergency and Security Committee , Zoe Solomon, who led Thursday’s visit, said the team found that while the city had installed two new tents at the Greyville site, the older tents had deteriorated and were unfit for human habitation. “We were pleased to see the two new large tents, which are serving as temporary shelter while people await relocation to Sakhithemba in Mid Illovo,” Solomon said. The Sakhithemba facility is currently undergoing renovations and is expected to provide more permanent accommodation.
Ward 26 PR Councillor Sharmaine Sewshanker, who has been actively advocating for solutions to relocate the homeless in the ward, also joined the oversight visit. She welcomed the installation of the new tents at Greyville but stressed the urgency of completing the renovations at Sakhithemba. “I am glad to see some progress, but what is now needed is to move people into decent, safe accommodation as soon as possible. This will also bring relief to residents who have long complained about the state of the homeless shelter and the deterioration of the area. While there is no fixed timeframe, I remain hopeful that the relocation will happen soon,” said Sewshanker.
Despite these developments, the DA has raised concerns over the municipality’s lack of visible action in tackling the growing homeless crisis. The oversight visit, they said, was a necessary step to hold the city accountable and ensure that Durban’s most vulnerable are not left behind.
