ETHEKWINI businesses and residents have applauded the municipality for dismantling the growing informal settlement that was housing homeless people along Che Guevara Road (Moore Road).

Scores of homeless people, who were moved from a vacant lot on Khuzimpi Shezi Road and Albert Park, have been illegally living under the bridge at the start of Moore Road, near the Durban CBD, for months. Some had built makeshift shelters for homes.

On Friday (January 16), and after complaints from residents and businesses in the area, the City took action. “Multidisciplinary teams conducted a special clean-up operation on Moore Road today, focusing on street sweeping, litter picking, removal of illegal dumping, and dismantling of unlawful structures,” said eThekwini.

The operation was led in collaboration with Supply Side and Area-Based Operations, the Waste Management Directorate, Durban Metro Police, and supported by Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees. It was welcomed by residents who reacted on social media, with some calling out the city for delaying in acting.

Also Read: Durban homeless dub new shelter ‘a dumping ground’

On Facebook, Nishi Singh said, “This clean-up was long overdue, and it’s encouraging to finally see decisive action being taken. Our municipality needs to maintain this momentum and ensure that all illegal dumping, unlawful structures, and vagrancy on city streets are addressed consistently, not just in isolated operations.

“A clean, safe, and hygienic city benefits everyone and reflects pride, accountability, and proper governance. Well done to the teams involved; now let’s see this commitment rolled out across all affected areas and sustained long term.”

Applauding the clean-up Aadilah ‘aDi’ Khan said, “eThekwini Municipality thank you for doing this … I drive this route five days a week and it’s absolutely disgusting, the smell of waste is just terrible.”

Concerned resident, Nkonyaneyenkosi Nkunzemyama called on organisations and the city to unite in getting programmes up and running to deal with substance abuse.

Also Read: Homeless voice displeasure over decommissioning of shelter, relocation

“The city needs a plan with this community of people. It cannot be normal to have people racking up the city and smoking it up. We know we are restricted to humanity laws I mean where is Gift of the Givers, corporations, politicians and city leaders when we need them to house these people, have programmes to take them off drugs, potentially putting them off the streets?,” asked Nkunzemyama.

“Are we failing to have this sorted I mean while we don’t get to have plans the community keeps growing and believe me they go to sleep when they wake up they starving and looking for something to break so to feed their habits.”

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