ETHEKWINI Municipality is adamant that everything is progressing according to schedule, even though activities have ground to a halt at Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter.

Also read: Lower Illovo rallies against Sakhithemba shelter [Pics]

This came out of the executive committee (Exco) meeting on May 26 where councillor André Beetge accused his fellow Exco members of curtailing debate on the shelter and passing motions in order to fast-track them without proper scrutiny.

The project’s architects told the Exco that the delays were a result of the alteration of the original plans which were passed in October 2024 where the facility was designed to house 400 beds. The scope of the project was reconfigured to double the capacity.

The project’s manager, Clive Truter, told the committee that the supplements to the original technical documents, as well as having to seek new approvals, are to be blamed for the delays. Beetge said a financial dispute between the municipality and the contractor responsible for Phases 2 and 3 is also responsible for the delays. Phase 1 of the project was initially scheduled for completion by October 17, 2025.

Also read: Lower Illovo residents protest homeless shelter revival

Beetge said when he asked some pertinent questions about the shelter, including about the shelter’s proximity to residential communities and schools, and potential increases in criminal activity linked to sustaining substance dependency and other unsavoury habits, ANC councillors resorted to politically charged attacks, accusing the DA of being vultures seeking political opportunity from the ANC’s failures.

“What became increasingly apparent during the discussion was that the rights of established communities to live, work, and educate their children in safe and stable environments appear to carry far less weight than the political objective of clearing homelessness from Durban’s inner city ahead of future ambitions and optics,” said Beetge.

The community of Lower Illovo, where the shelter is being built, has strongly opposed its existence as there was no consultation before it was built.

In a statement, the City said the alteration of plans was a response to a growing demand for expanded shelter services.

“Since the previous update presented to Exco in March, notable progress has been achieved across all phases of the project despite operational and regulatory challenges encountered during implementation,” read the statement.

It said construction is progressing well and the facility will be complete by October 2026.

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