THE eThekwini Municipality says it is intensifying efforts to address homelessness, substance abuse and illegal occupation of public spaces following growing environmental concerns linked to fires near the uMngeni Estuary in Durban.

Related story: WATCH: Fires threaten uMngeni Estuary ecosystem

This comes after repeated fires allegedly caused by homeless people living in the mangroves near the Garden Refuse Centre and waste buy-back centre raised alarm among environmental activists and nearby communities.

Environmental advocate Margaret Burger warned that the ongoing fires were placing severe strain on the Beachwood Mangroves ecosystem, which is not naturally adapted to fire, raising fears about long-term ecological damage and risks to public health.

In response, the municipality said it has ongoing operations in place to deal with homelessness-related challenges across the city. These include street sweeping, litter picking, the removal of illegal dumping, and the dismantling of unlawful structures erected along road reserves.

The City said the interventions form part of broader efforts to maintain public safety, cleanliness and compliance with municipal by-laws.

However, the municipality acknowledged that law enforcement measures alone would not provide a sustainable solution to homelessness and substance abuse.

“The municipality acknowledges that law enforcement interventions alone cannot sustainably address challenges related to homelessness and substance abuse,” said eThekwini Municipality’s marketing and communications director Mandla Nsele.

Municipal officials said enforcement operations are being implemented alongside programmes led by the Provincial Department of Social Development aimed at providing support, care and long-term assistance to people living on the streets.

The City currently operates three temporary shelters — Strollers, Block AK and the Jewish Centre — which provide accommodation for homeless individuals. Officials said the facilities would eventually be decommissioned once the new Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter is completed.

Through the Safer Cities Directorate, the municipality said it continues to engage directly with homeless individuals affected by relocation and clean-up operations while identifying additional facilities to provide shelter and integrated support services.

The City is also constructing the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter in lower Illovu. Once completed, the facility is expected to accommodate up to 1 200 adults and function as a transitional support centre offering medical care, psychological support, social services and development programmes.

According to the municipality, the interventions are intended to help homeless individuals reintegrate into society or reconnect with their families through assessments conducted by qualified social workers.

The municipality added that it plans to expand shelter and rehabilitation services across different municipal regions to strengthen support systems and reduce repeated displacement.

“The initiative involves collaboration between the Provincial Department of Social Development and several municipal departments, including eThekwini Safer Cities, Health, Human Settlements and law enforcement agencies, to ensure a co-ordinated response,” he added.

Regular patrols and monitoring operations will also continue in areas that have been cleared to prevent the return of unlawful structures and criminal activity, said Nsele

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