They Always Come Back’: Glenwood Residents Slam eThekwini After Vagrants Return Hours After Durban Clean-Up

The persistent presence of vagrants along Che Guevara Road in lower Glenwood/Umbilo, has sparked growing frustration among local residents and business owners, who believe the city’s attempts to address the situation have been largely ineffective and unsustainable.

Their concerns escalated after another recent clean-up operation, led by police and assisted by the eThekwini Municipality’s clean-up teams, was quickly undone as the vagrants returned to the area hours later.

Residents aligned with the Glenwood Bulwer Ratepayers and Residents Association NPC (GBRRA) were among those who voiced their disappointment. Their main frustration was the municipality’s customary act of removing vagrants without implementing a long-term solution that would completely eliminate the tendency of vagrants congregating in the area.

“We suspect the only reason for their recent actions was due to the attention received from a Daily News article published last week. Otherwise, we feel hopeless,” said a representative of the GBRRA, who wanted his identity withheld.

Estelle Williams, a local resident living in Glenwood, spoke about the fear and dismay she felt regarding the presence of vagrants in her community.

“Just this morning (Tuesday), they were everywhere along the road, with makeshift shacks stretching close to Sydney Road,” she said.

“This situation isn’t new; weeks ago, the city initiated a clean-up programme targeting those camping on the pavement,” she added.

DA councillor Andre Beetge questioned the city’s strategy, saying the vagrant situation was a recurring problem.

“What is the plan from here? This is a repeat of the scenario we saw weeks ago, and they always come back.

“We await a report from the executive committee; until then, there seems to be an absence of any concrete plan,” Beetge stated.

However, the city’s spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, responded that both Metro Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS) were conducting joint operations that had reportedly reduced robbery incidents in the area.

She said: “Ahead of the festive season, the city had embarked on comprehensive planning to address this issue.

“Our approach will involve multiple government departments working together to tackle drug abuse, homelessness and illegal structures.”

Sisilana confirmed that operations would ramp up to three times a week, with a commitment to transport individuals identified as drug addicts to the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter for necessary support.

The city was also moving forward with the phased development of the Sakhithemba Shelter in Illovo, which aims to house up to 800 individuals and was expected to alleviate some pressure.

ActionSA’s leader in KZN, Zwakele Mncwango, was not convinced. He said the city was neglecting its responsibility to address homelessness effectively.

He cited successful initiatives from 2010, around the time of the FIFA World Cup, when many vagrants were relocated and the city prospered without the encumbrance of street dwelling.

“The municipality showcased its capability then; they can certainly do so again, providing individuals with opportunities to reintegrate into communities and family structures,” Mncwango claimed.

Also joining the chorus of discontent was the Truth and Solidarity Movement, which called for immediate action from relevant government and law enforcement agencies.

the organisation's national secretary-general, Chief Majoka Msane, called for the allocation of abandoned farms for housing and job creation for the homeless.

“Our streets have become both unsafe and unsanitary. Relocating individuals to farms could provide them with dignity and a chance to contribute,” he suggested.

DAILY NEWS