With the Sakhithembe Homeless Shelter expected to open in November 2026, Durban Metro Police arrested a woman on Friday for drug-related activities under the M4 Southern Freeway bridge at Che Guevara Road. Municipal units cleared an informal drug encampment that had spread onto the roadway leading to the Durban Port, the central business district, and the Umbilo industrial area. Authorities found Mandrax, heroin, cash, syringes, safe cookers, saline solution, and alcohol swabs during the operation. The suspect was charged at Umbilo SAPS and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
While municipal sources described those involved as homeless individuals, local residents insisted they were primarily drug users. A metro police statement explained that the arrest is part of a wider effort to eliminate entrenched drug activity beneath the bridge, where an informal settlement had reduced Moore Road from four lanes to two, posing risks to both drivers and pedestrians.
At a recent Ethekwini Executive Committee (Exco) meeting, city officials reviewed progress on the Illovo shelter, south of Durban. Designed as a model for future facilities across eThekwini, the shelter will provide 1,200 beds upon completion, aiming to accommodate the city’s homeless population.
Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni emphasized that the shelter is just one component of broader initiatives to combat homelessness. Mayor Cyril Xaba noted ongoing efforts to reconnect homeless individuals with their families and communities. He acknowledged that relocating people from Che Guevara Road has led some to disperse into suburban areas, creating new challenges. “Enforcement alone won’t get them into shelters,” Xaba said. “They need to choose to go in, believing it offers a fresh start. This isn’t a prison—we must earn their trust and support their recovery.”
Andre Beetge, DA representative on the Exco, stressed the importance of protecting Durban’s economic hub from crime and disorder. “We must draw people away from drug traffickers who profit immensely,” he said. “We also need to tackle markets for stolen goods. The long-term cost of allowing criminal networks to dominate the city far exceeds the investment in shelters.”
IFP Exco member Mdu Nkosi called for a systematic approach to identifying and supporting homeless individuals. “The shelter’s implementation plan shows we’re moving in the right direction,” he remarked.
ANC Exco member Nkosenhle Madlala acknowledged the city’s innovative strategies, while recognizing the difficulties involved. He confirmed that consultations with the Illovo community about the shelter will continue.
