eThekwini Unveils 1,200-Bed Shelter Plan to Tackle Durban Homelessness as Opposition Party Raises Concerns

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23-02-2026
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DailyNews
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Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba unveiled a multi-faceted approach to Durban's homelessness challenges during a media conference at Durban City Hall on Sunday. He reiterated his call for a compassionate and community-driven solution to assist those experiencing homelessness.

The eThekwini Municipality is embarking on a change-making initiative to tackle the complex vagrancy issues that have become a perennial problem along Durban's Che Guevara Road.

Mayor Cyril Xaba unveiled a multi-faceted approach to handling Durban's homelessness challenges and reiterated his call for a compassionate and community-driven solution during a media conference at Durban City Hall on Sunday.

“Firstly, we are building a shelter,” Xaba said, referring to construction already underway at the Denver site in KwaMashu, which will ultimately accommodate 1,200 beds.

“Just a few days ago, I received a progress report on the construction of that shelter,” he said, expressing the urgency with which the municipality is working to provide support.

Xaba also clarified the nature of the accommodation that will be provided.

“We are not building a prison,” he said.

He spoke about the importance of cooperation between social workers and individuals seeking shelter, rather than resorting to forcibly removing people from the streets.

“It is critical that as we deal with this problem, we try to involve their parents, their relatives, and the church to help direct people to our facilities, where they will receive the necessary support.”

The city indicated that the integration effort is not solely about providing shelter but also about facilitating the return of individuals to their families.

“We have begun to assist those who express a desire to go home,” said Xaba, giving perspective on the success achieved in reconnecting many homeless individuals with their parents.

“This step is crucial, as it aims to provide stable foundations for individuals exiting homelessness.”

Moreover, the initiative acknowledges the diverse demographic of the area, including a significant number of individuals from Tanzania.

“As part of this process, we are opening lines of communication with their diplomatic missions,” Xaba explained.

The municipality is also committed to assisting those who are ready to return to their home countries by working with foreign missions to facilitate their return.

Xaba said they have started receiving calls from parents seeking information about their children.

“They are saying: ‘If you come across our child, please contact us. We want to work out ways to persuade him or her to return home.’

“Our message of counselling extends to both the individuals experiencing homelessness and their families,” said the mayor.

While the city outlined its comprehensive approach to ensure that, post-rehabilitation, homeless individuals are able to reintegrate into environments that support their recovery and prevent recidivism into homelessness, Xaba also emphasised the necessity of maintaining public order.

“We don’t want people to block our streets; we don’t want our people to litter on the streets,” he said, indicating that while compassion is central, law enforcement remains part of the municipality’s multi-pronged strategy.

“If you push them from this side of the road, they simply disappear into the neighbourhoods,” he said, acknowledging that without integration strategies, enforcement could lead to displacement rather than resolution.

In response to the municipality's approach to homelessness, Councillor Thabani Ndlovu of the Democratic Alliance (DA) raised concerns about the administration's handling of vulnerable populations in Durban's central business district.

Ndlovu said his concerns stemmed from what he viewed as a lack of clear strategic planning and ineffective communication from city officials, particularly the mayor and deputy mayor.

“While we are supportive of initiatives aimed at reintegrating homeless individuals with their families and welcome community-based or spiritual assistance, there is no clear, detailed plan coming from the municipality,” Ndlovu stated.

“It’s troubling that we are only offered vague statements devoid of timelines, specific locations, and accountability metrics.”

Ndlovu said there was an evident gap in data and groundwork, leading to the perception that the city’s efforts were fragmented.

The municipality was also criticised for stalled progress on the Sakithemba housing project in Lower Illovo, an initiative intended to provide housing for up to 800 individuals.

During a recent oversight visit, Ndlovu reported that construction on the project had ground to a halt, with no workers currently on site. The project handover was originally set for March, but the timeline now appears unlikely to be met, which could further compound Durban's homelessness crisis.

“Even if the Sakithemba project were completed, it would only address a fraction of the homelessness issue we are facing,” Ndlovu said.

He accused the local government of poor planning and mismanagement and expressed a lack of confidence in the solutions proposed by the mayor’s office.