A major clean-up operation by eThekwini Municipality and local councillors is expected to bring down long-awaited relief to Umbilo residents and the Durban CBD, after hundreds of homeless people were cleared from the notorious Williams (Khuzimpi Shezi) Road encampment near Albert Park on Friday morning, 10 October.
The site, once a home to an old electricity substation, had become a sprawling informal settlement of nearly 800 people and 120 makeshift shacks — built from plastic sheets, cardboard, and wooden poles. For years, it stood as a hotspot for drug activity, petty crime, and grime that spilled into surrounding areas including Berea, Glenwood, and Umbilo.
The operation conducted by City’s Safer Cities Unit, Durban Metro Police, Durban Solid Waste (DSW), and Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) and ward councillors Protas Mngonyama from Ward 32 and Ward 33 councillor, Fran Kristopher was also aimed to dismantle the illegal settlement and assist displaced individuals.
Cllr Kristopher said that the operation followed her oversight visit in May as part of the Safety and Emergency Services Portfolio Committee. “The encampment had become a serious health hazard and security concern. We needed a coordinated plan to both clean up the area and help those willing to move into proper shelters. The caucus had pushed for more temporary accommodation, including the reopening of the AK Block (former Covid-19 tents), while the Sakhithemba Shelter in Illovo — a new 800-bed facility — is expected to open before the end of November.
Mngonyama said the situation had reached crisis point. “Businesses were suffering, residents were scared, and crime was spiralling. People were being mugged, cars broken into, and fires were being lit almost daily. This was no longer just a social issue — it was a safety emergency,” he said.
According to Mngonyama, Safer Cities profiled the homeless and offered placement at the city’s shelters for men and women, but only around 30 out of 400 accepted help. “Tragically, around 25 have died since May due to drug overdoses. That shows how deeply the problem is rooted in addiction,” he added.
The operation was not without resistance. As Metro officers approached, some individuals set fire to structures. The Durban Fire Department was called in to extinguish the flames, which destroyed most of the shacks. The site — littered with waste, human faeces, and rodents — was later cleared and fenced off to prevent reoccupation, with private sponsors providing fencing and on-site security.
A local business representative said the clean-up was long overdue. “This is the main entry point into our business hub. For too long, it’s been an eyesore and a safety risk. Fires, theft, and harassment of customers became a daily nightmare. We finally have hope this will bring stability back,” they said.
Security contractors on the ground said the area is now under round-the-clock surveillance to prevent illegal reoccupation. “We’re taking our city back. People deserve to feel safe walking and working here again,” one official said.
Councillor Kristopher stressed that while enforcement is necessary, lasting change requires compassion and structure. “Homelessness is a complex issue tied to addiction and poverty. The city and its partners continue to assist those who genuinely want help — but others resist because of the rules in shelters or their ties to the drug trade,” she said.
Residents and businesses are urged to remain vigilant and report illegal structures or suspicious activity to the eThekwini Municipality Land Invasion Unit at 080 311 1111 or email eservices@durban.gov.za
