The head of the Department of Human Settlements, Max Mbili, has been called upon to expedite the profiling of families currently residing in Seaview Cemetery in Ward 64.
The request, made this morning by a local leader working alongside eThekwini Municipality, comes amid growing concern for the more than 400 individuals who have erected informal dwellings in the cemetery — with some structures reportedly built directly atop graves.
It is a deeply troubling situation, particularly given the historical context. Following the dawn of democracy in 1994, the government under President Nelson Mandela made the construction of houses for vulnerable communities a national priority. Families residing in the Seaview area since 1981 were among the first to benefit from this initiative.
In the early 2000s, significant progress was made when the then-KZN MEC for Housing, Dumisane Makhaye, alongside former Housing MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu, eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba, and Nigel Gumede, who chaired the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee, facilitated the relocation of affected families to newly constructed homes in Welbedacht, Chatsworth.
Despite these efforts, the area has once again become occupied by informal settlers, some of whom returned after relocation, while others are new arrivals seeking economic opportunities in eThekwini.
While acknowledging the reality of migration and the acute shortage of housing and land in the municipality, officials have urged communities to respect the sanctity of cemeteries.
“Cemeteries are sacred spaces. The departed deserve dignity, and these sites must remain places of rest, not habitation,” a spokesperson stated.
Efforts to engage with ratepayer associations and stakeholders representing residents living near state-owned land are ongoing. These engagements are critical, as restrictions on developing such land continue to prevent the construction of much-needed housing.
Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements has commissioned three key research studies to address the broader crisis. The studies will assess: the housing needs of households residing on privately owned land facing eviction; households in rural and informal settlements living in disaster-prone areas;households living in graveyards such as Seaview Cemetery; and the housing needs of farm dwellers.
These studies will be conducted in partnership with the Moses Kotane Research Institute, National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
As part of a broader solution, the department has identified the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality as a pilot site for the Agri-Village Programme, a new initiative aimed at improving the living conditions of farm dwellers. This programme will involve the Departments of Land Affairs, Agriculture, and Rural Development, with a focus on providing decent housing, water, electricity, access roads, and socio-economic opportunities.
The situation at Seaview Cemetery remains urgent and complex, requiring both compassion and immediate, coordinated action from all spheres of government.
