THE eThekwini Municipality is continuing its efforts to reclaim public spaces within the inner city, several of which have become places of refuge for homeless people.

Amid safety concerns raised by residents and businesses, the municipality has embarked on weekly operations within the Durban CBD to deter the illegal occupation of parks while addressing illegal dumping, clearing drains, trimming trees and sweeping surrounding streets.

With illegal structures erected for shelter and scores of people living in the public parks, King Dinuzulu Park and The Workshop were among the first sites targeted in the multi-disciplinary campaign.

The team removed illegal structures, cleared accumulated waste, trimmed trees to improve visibility and fumigated the site between August 19 and 21. This raised concerns among residents who accused the City of “treating the symptom but not the cause” of homelessness and the invasion of parks.

Also Read: ‘Permanent solution needed to eThekwini homeless crisis’

Writing on social media, Alex Verhagen said homeless people and addicts had been all over the Albert Park precinct for many years. “They get displaced by the City during clean-ups, only to settle a little further afield and begin their takeover yet again. There is no meaningful, or sustained, long-term plan by the authorities. Just periodic lip-service and window-dressing.”

His sentiments were shared by Umbilo Business Association (UBA) chairperson Doran Subiah who said clean-up operation represents yet another short-term intervention that fails to address the root causes of the homelessness crisis.

“The evidence is clear. Following the removal of homeless individuals from Che Guevara Road (formerly Moore Road), the displaced population simply migrated deeper into the Umbilo precinct, establishing new encampments on Khuzimpi Shezi Road (formerly Williams Road) and now finally at King Dinuzulu Park,” said .

He said the UBA has consistently warned that without a comprehensive, humane relocation and rehabilitation strategy, these operations merely push the problem from one part of the precinct to another.

Also Read: King Dinuzulu Park reclaimed in City clean-up drive

“The homeless situation King Dinuzulu remains particularly concerning. Despite the Mayor’s oversight visit to the area in February and the City’s stated commitment to a ‘lawful, humane, and sustainable’ approach, we have seen no meaningful progress. The homeless and drug-addicted population continues to grow.”

He added, “The impact on businesses is devastating. Customers are being driven away, employees fear for their safety, and the precinct’s reputation as a viable commercial hub is being destroyed. Business owners on these affected roads, are already losing business as customers feel it is unsafe to come to their premises.”

The City said construction of the 400-bed Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter in Illovo, south of Durban, remains on course to open in November.

The Director of Supply Side and Area Based Operations, Linda Mbonambi, said the weekly maintenance campaign, rather than once-off clean-ups, has been mounted to address a recurring issue across the inner city.

“Open spaces that fall into disrepair get invaded, and the disruption that follows spills over onto surrounding businesses, in some cases to the point where those businesses cannot trade. Restoring these spaces is not only about cleanliness and safety, but also about protecting economic activity and rebuilding business confidence.”

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here