Following last week’s article in the Springfield Weekly Gazette regarding Metro officers allegedly using excessive force against homeless individuals, new allegations have emerged this week. Several homeless individuals have claimed they are being harassed by the police, with one currently hospitalised as a result of a reported beating. These serious allegations against Metro Police officers in North Beach suggest that brutal tactics are being used against the homeless, with the situation reportedly escalating to the point where some victims, fearing further violence, have resorted to arming themselves for self-protection.
DA PR Councillor Sharmaine Sewshanker has condemned the alleged brutality, calling for urgent intervention. According to Sewshanker, five homeless individuals approached her to report how officers assaulted them while they were fishing at a local pier. “They took their batons and assaulted them,” Sewshanker said.
In an attempt to assist the victims, Sewshanker tried to help them open a case at the police station. However, due to long queues and time constraints, she took two of them directly to the Boscombe Metro Police Station to meet with Colonel Nkomo. Unfortunately, they were denied access and met with hostility. “They didn’t even allow me inside the station. The booms were closed, and they refused to let me through,” she added.
Later, Sewshanker reached out to another senior officer, who advised her to schedule a meeting. When she eventually spoke to Colonel Nkomo, she claims he made racial remarks, accusing the DA of protecting white homeless individuals. “He was very upset and used racial terms, saying that white people are arrogant because they believe they are protected by the DA,” Sewshanker explained.
Tensions grew further during a meeting between Metro Police officers, homeless individuals, and other stakeholders. Victims of the alleged assaults claimed that officers not only beat them but also used pepper spray on them. In their frustration, some victims have even threatened retaliation. “One man said, ‘If this continues, I will take a knife and stab one of the cops,’” Sewshanker recalled.
Sewshanker also mentioned that Metro Police officers have begun targeting her personally, accusing her of protecting homeless people. “I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. Everything I did in the name of humanity is now being twisted by the police, and they think I’m the reason for the increasing homeless population in the area.”
The situation remains volatile, with concerns growing about potential clashes between law enforcement and the homeless community. Sewshanker has urged city officials to intervene before the matter escalates further. “There needs to be a humane and lawful approach to this crisis. Violence is not the solution,” she said.
Sewshanker further highlighted the broader issue of homelessness in eThekwini, stating, “As the Councillor for the area, it’s a massive problem. The homeless are moved daily out of the beach, the dunes, and the promenade to the inner city, where they are forced to hide behind residential flats and along the business areas. This is making it difficult for the business sector as the homeless converge on their shop fronts, deterring customers from supporting the business. Instead of finding a sustainable solution to the homeless problem in eThekwini, we play musical chairs with them—moving them from one area into another. We don’t have a magic wand to make them disappear.”
She called on the municipality to take meaningful action. “Safer Cities, together with eThekwini Municipality, must have the political will to find a solution to the homeless issue, which has now become a pandemic of 16,000 from Blue Lagoon to Point Waterfront. We are tired of the talk shops and engagements that have been held for many years without any workable solutions. How do we become the most caring and livable city by 2030 if we can’t care for the homeless?”SAPS KZN spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshuinda confirmed that a case of assault has been opened with Durban Central SAPS. “Police in Durban Central are investigating a case of assault following an incident in which a 42-year-old man was allegedly assaulted while on Snell Parade on Tuesday, 4 March 2025. The investigation is ongoing.”
Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Colonel Boysie Zungu responded, saying, “Since a case has been opened, we are unable to comment as the matter is now sub judice. Parks are not residential places for homeless people. Sleeping in public spaces is against the city’s bylaws.”. Several homeless individuals have claimed that they are being harassed by the police, with one currently hospitalised as a result of the reported beating.
EThekwini Municipality was contacted for a response to these allegations of brutal force being usedby the Metro Police to remove the homeless as well as the municipality’s plans to resolve the increasing number of homeless people in the city, but no response was recieved at the time of going to print.
