THE LOWER Illovo and surrounding community remain steadfast in their opposition to the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter after being left out of the decision-making and consultation process which was initiated around June last year.

Also read: Community and Municipality reach stalemate on homeless shelter

A peaceful march will be held, convened by Gopie Krishna Tagat, who has served as one of the representative voices of the community since the initial meeting on May 25. The march is slated for June 7, with a preliminary briefing at 07:30 followed by its commencement at 08:00, opposite Engen Garage on the corner of Riet Road and the R603.

The route will be along the R603 heading west, followed by a left turn to Sugar Road, proceeding to the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter. A memorandum will then be handed to a representative of eThekwini at 10:00. The march will end at 11:00. It will be attended by law enforcement and emergency services.

Ward 97 councillor André Beetge attended the initial meeting at Illovo Primary School, and made recommendations on the process the community should follow, coupled with timelines. Each time the community met it strongly opposed the project, citing fears around crime, drug use and the neighbourhood and surrounding area’s general safety. A petition is in circulation with over 4000 signatures, hoping to stop the project.

Also read: South Coast Sun 06 June 2025

Beetge explained that the facility is intended to house displaced people as part of a broader strategy to reintegrate the homeless into society. The ratepayers, CPF structures and civic associations were not, however, informed or consulted prior to the approval or initiation of the project

Beetge said, “We are led to understand Ward 109 councillor, Menzi Wilfred Manqele and officials will be meeting on June 4 and that deputy mayor, councillor Zandile Myeni will consider our request for an informative public meeting, as should have been done from the start. The DA stands with the people of Lower Illovo and believes that a caring city does not sideline its communities and while we support sustainable and humane solutions to homelessness, we cannot endorse a process that ignores the legitimate concerns of residents. Failure to engage the public has not only damaged the credibility of the initiative, but also cast a shadow over a programme that could have offered real hope to those willing to rebuild their lives. The DA calls for immediate, transparent and meaningful engagement with the residents of Lower Illovo, and a re-evaluation of the project rollout.”

For more information on the march, contact Gopie Krishna Tagat on 078 313 8831 or Kuben Govender on 083 231 4225.

Rules of the march:

• No weapons
• No political regalia or banners
• No violence will be tolerated
• No intimidation
• No intoxication or possession of illegal substances
• Concealing facial features not allowed
• No banners with intention of inciting violence
• No destruction of private, public or state property
• No littering

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.